Survey: Quebecers Want Projects that Serve the Common Good Without Sacrificing the Environment

Montreal, September 8, 2025 — In a new poll conducted by Léger on behalf of Équiterre regarding the federal Building Canada Act (C-5), Quebecers expressed a clear preference: they want projects that directly benefit communities and they overwhelmingly reject bypassing environmental laws.

People want tangible impacts — not pipelines

Respondents identified the improvement of public services, protection of communities affected by extreme weather events, and climate change adaptation measures as top priorities.

The least-supported type of national interest project? An oil or gas pipeline.

Since Bill C-5 was introduced, oil and gas promoters have been eager to push massive pipelines across Canada to ship our natural resources overseas. But that is the last thing Quebecers want (48%). Both the federal and Quebec governments will need to listen.

“People want wildfire detection systems and firefighting equipment (83%), they want to protect their towns and villages from flooding (78%), they want affordable housing (80%), hospitals (77%) and schools (72%). That’s what they consider national interest projects — concrete initiatives that will have a direct impact on their quality of life,” explains Marc-André Viau, Équiterre’s Director of Government Relations.

Hands off environmental protections

The survey also highlights Quebecers' strong rejection of the government’s approach of sidestepping environmental laws such as those protecting endangered species (61%), birds (59%), and fish (59%).

“The message is clear: people want action, but they don’t want the government to push forward on projects that sacrifice the environment along the way,” adds Marc-André Viau.

Consultation is key

Since the announcement of the bill, the government has been moving at breakneck speed at every stage of the parliamentary process. The survey suggests that the government cannot continue to ignore best practices in social acceptability.

Respondents believe the government must take into account the views of provincial governments (84%), local communities (80%), and Indigenous Peoples (71%) when determining its projects.

They would also be largely opposed to the federal government imposing a project that is rejected by a provincial government (67%), local communities (67%), or Indigenous Peoples (59%).

“This can’t keep happening behind closed doors. Sooner rather than later, people will need to be involved and presented with projects that matter to them,” concludes Marc-André Viau.

^{Équiterre's offices are located on Indigenous lands that have not been ceded by treaty, which we now call Montreal and Quebec City. We recognize that Indigenous peoples have protected their territories since immemorial times and have used their traditional knowledge to guard the lands and waters. We are grateful to live on these lands and are committed to continuing our efforts to protect them. Read more »}