Canadian Views on Indigenous Communities and Natural Resource Development
Vancouver BC, May 27 2021 — These are the results of a national online poll conducted on behalf of Resource Works and the 2021 Indigenous Partnership Success Showcase[i]. The poll examines Canadian public opinion with respect to the relationship between Indigenous communities and natural resource development.
In this poll, respondents were asked to think of natural resources as including energy (e.g. oil, gas and renewables), forestry, mining, agriculture and fishing. Indigenous communities were defined to include First Nations, Métis and Inuk (Inuit).
Most Canadians think natural resource development can provide economic and employment benefits to Indigenous communities.
Seven-in-ten (72%) Canadians agree that ‘natural resource development is a good way for Indigenous communities to reduce poverty and build economic independence.’ Only about one-in-ten disagree (12%) and 17% are undecided.
- Agreement is higher in Western Canada (77% BC, 76% AB, 77% SK/MB) and lower in Quebec (66%) and Atlantic Canada (63%). Agreement is also higher among older Canadians (83% among 55+ vs. 60% among 18-34 years).
Seven-in-ten (70%) Canadians also agree that ‘natural resource development is a good way for Indigenous communities to create skilled and well-paying jobs.’ Only about one-in-ten (12%) disagree and 18% are undecided.
- Agreement is higher in Western Canada (76% BC, 77% AB, 82% SK/MB) and lower in Quebec (62%) and Atlantic Canada (65%). Agreement is also higher among older Canadians (81% among 55+ vs. 61% among 18-34 years).
Most Canadians recognize that Indigenous communities need help from government to access the capital required to take advantage of natural resource development opportunities.
Slightly more than six-in-ten (62%) Canadians agree that ‘governments need to ensure that Indigenous communities have access to capital so they can invest in natural resource development on their territories.’ Two-in-ten (19%) disagree with this idea and two-in-ten (19%) are undecided.
- Agreement is highest in Ontario (66%) and lowest in BC (53%).
Canadians do not give governments or natural resource companies great marks for the consultation/engagement taking place with Indigenous communities today, although many are unsure how to evaluate these relationships.
Just less than half (47%) of Canadians agree that ‘governments today are doing a good job today at consulting/engaging with Indigenous communities about projects that impact their territories.’ That is still more than the three-in-ten (29%) who disagree that governments are doing a good job. One-quarter (24%) say they don’t know enough to answer this question.
- Agreement is higher among older Canadians (52% among 55+ vs. 41% among 18-34 years).
The ratings are very similar for natural resource companies. Just less than half (46%) of Canadians agree that ‘natural resources companies are doing a good job today at consulting/engaging with indigenous communities about projects that impact their territories.’ As with governments, that is still more than the roughly one-quarter (27%) who disagree that companies are doing a good job. Roughly one-quarter (27%) say they don’t know enough to answer this question.
- Agreement is higher in the oil regions of Alberta (55%) and Saskatchewan/Manitoba (55%) and lower in Eastern Canada (42% ON, 44% PQ, 36% Atlantic). Agreement is also higher among older Canadians (53% among 55+ vs. 41% among 18-54 years).
Nevertheless, Canadians believe there has been improvement in the consultation/ engagement taking place over the past 10-20 years.
Six-in-ten (60%) Canadians agree that ‘governments are doing a better job today than 10-20 years ago at consulting/engaging with Indigenous communities about projects that impact their territories.’ Only two-in-ten (21%) disagree and two-in-ten (19%) are undecided.
- Agreement is highest in BC (72%) and lowest in Quebec (55%). Agreement is also higher among older Canadians (69% among 55+ vs. 56% among 18-54 years).
As with governments, six-in-ten (59%) Canadians also agree that ‘natural resources companies are doing a better job today than 10-20 years ago at consulting/engaging with Indigenous communities about projects that impact their territories.’ Fewer than two-in-ten (17%) disagree, while one-quarter (24%) are undecided.
- Agreement is highest in BC (69%) and lowest in Quebec (53%) and Atlantic Canada (53%). Agreement is also higher among older Canadians (69% among 55+ vs. 53% among 18-54 years).
Canadians are more split when it comes to their opinions about Indigenous communities having full power over decisions about their territories.
Half (50%) of Canadians agree that ‘Indigenous communities should have full control over any natural resource development on their territories.’ One-third (34%) disagree with this idea and less than two-in-ten (16%) are undecided.
- Agreement is highest in Atlantic Canada (58%) and lowest in BC (41%).
Fewer than half (44%) of Canadians agree that ‘when Indigenous communities say no to a natural resource development project on their territory, that should be the end of the discussion.’ Almost as many (39%) Canadians disagree it should be the end of the discussion, while nearly two-in-ten (17%) are unsure.
- Agreement is higher in Atlantic Canada (56%) and Ontario (51%) than it is in Quebec (36%), Alberta (38%) or BC (39%). Agreement is also higher among younger Canadians (51% among 18-34 years vs. 37% among 55+years).
Many Canadians say they are not sure what is the truth when it comes to the issues of Indigenous communities and natural resource development.
Three examples include the following:
Half (49%) of Canadians agree that ‘most Indigenous communities support responsible natural resource development on their territories.’ Two-in-ten (20%) disagree and three-in-ten (31%) say they don’t know.
Nearly half (46%) of Canadians agree that ‘Indigenous opposition to natural resource development projects is often exaggerated by non-Indigenous groups who oppose these projects for other reasons.’ One-quarter (25%) disagree with this idea, while three-in-ten (29%) say they don’t know.
More than four-in-ten (44%) Canadians agree that ‘Indigenous communities who have allowed natural resource development on their territories have been fairly compensated for the access and impacts on their lands.’ One-quarter (25%) disagree and three-in-ten (31%) say they don’t know.
About the Study
These are the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted on behalf of Resource Works and the 2021 Indigenous Partnership Success Showcase. The poll of 2,000 adult (18+) Canadians was conducted online via the Ipsos I-Say Panel from May 12 to 16, 2021. These data were statistically weighted by region, age, gender and education to ensure the sample composition reflects that of the actual Canadian population according to Census data. The precision of Ipsos polls containing online data is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the overall poll (n=2,000) is accurate to within +/-2.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, had all Canadian adults been polled. The credibility interval will be wider among subsets of the population. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.
For more information on this news release, please contact:
Kyle Braid
SVP, Ipsos Public Affairs
office 778.373.5130
cell 604.788.2417
About Ipsos
Ipsos is the world’s third largest market research company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people.
Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. We serve more than 5000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions.
Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).
ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP
[i] The 2021 Indigenous Partnership Success Showcase will bring together Indigenous enterprises, businesses and investors, professionals, and multiple levels of government for a virtual conference to discuss resource and economic reconciliation on May 28 and June 4, 2021. www.ipss2021.com
