General

Oilsands poll shows Saskatchewan’s social divisions

Region, race, and education play into provincial perceptions of oilsands development

A recent poll by Sigma Analytics shows Saskatchewanians are sharply divided on the question of oilsands development. In the survey conducted for the Saskatoon StarPhoenix and the Regina Leader-Post, 24.9 per cent of respondents said they “strongly support” oilsands development in the province, while 23 per cent are opposed. What the poll also, and most interestingly, reveals are stark social divisions on the issue, which are drawn along educational, age, ethnicity and regional lines.  Saskatchewan residents with a Grade 12 education or less or who are aged between 30-60 are more likely to support development than university graduates or those aged 18-29. Aboriginal people and those living in the northern, more rural regions were more likely to rate the province’s environment as “very poor,” as opposed to non-aboriginals or those living in urban centres who feel it is “very good”. The Sigma Analytics survey follows an announcement from Oilsands Quest Inc. that it is exploring and developing land holdings in the province.

Montreal Gazette

Looking for more?

Get the Best of Maclean's sent straight to your inbox. Sign up for news, commentary and analysis.
  • By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
FILED UNDER: