Clear Seas: Spill Risk Remains Top Concern in Canada

Clear Seas Centre for Responsible Marine Shipping, in partnership with the Angus Reid Institute, has found a majority of Canadians believe transporting goods by sea is safe, and most say marine shipping is growing in importance in this era of heightened trade uncertainty between Canada and the U.S. However, the risk of oil and fuel spills and water pollution from marine shipping remain Canadians’ top concerns.

The new public opinion poll builds on a benchmark study on public attitudes about the shipping industry first conducted in March 2016. Today, the Canadian public places a higher degree of importance on marine shipping than it did back then. Greater numbers now say the industry is “critically important” to the Canadian economy.

The 2018 poll addresses the value of shipping in Canada and to Canadians, safety concerns and environmental risks, and the degree of confidence Canadians have in shipping industry regulations and oversight. Notable variations from the results of the previous poll include:

•     an increase of those who perceive the industry as growing in importance,
•     a decrease of those in Quebec who believe shipping’s economic contributions outweigh the environmental risks,
•     an increase in overall support for shipping LNG,
•     an increase in approval of the efforts of port authorities and the shipping industry to keep shipping safe.

Learn more about Canadian perceptions of marine shipping by visiting Clear Seas' website.