Findings suggest governments may be underestimating the political importance Canadians place on protecting species and ecosystems
Unceded Algonquin Territory — Ottawa, ON | August 25, 2026
OTTAWA — New polling conducted by EKOS Research Associates and commissioned by Nature Canada suggests Canadians strongly support protecting nature and endangered species, suggesting a gap between Canadian values and emerging federal policy to fast-track development projects by cutting environmental oversight.
The polling comes amid growing debate in Ottawa over new proposals to accelerate major projects by weakening or by passing environmental and species protections viewed as obstacles to development. Those worrying proposals came only a few weeks after the government’s March 31 “Force of Nature Strategy” announcement – a historic investment of billions of dollars in conservation and species protection. The government seems to be signalling that environmental protection and economic development are incompatible. But this polling shows that a strong majority of Canadians would disagree.
The polling results show:
- 75% of Canadians agree safeguarding Canada’s natural heritage should be a key consideration when building the country.
- More than 80% believe governments have a responsibility to prevent species in Canada from going extinct.
- A majority say protecting species should take priority even where it may constrain economic development.
- Canadians support fully protecting some areas of the ocean by a margin of more than two to one, even if it limits economic activity.
- About half of Canadians say environmental considerations have a strong influence on their vote in both federal and provincial elections.
The poll also found that while Conservative voters, particularly in Alberta, are generally more skeptical of environmental regulation and spending, a majority of voters across party lines believe governments have a responsibility to prevent species extinction. In every province, 50% or more believe the federal government should intervene if provinces are not doing enough, including in Alberta.
“These findings challenge the idea that Canadians are prepared to trade away nature protections whenever they become politically inconvenient,” said Emily McMillan, Executive Director of Nature Canada. “Canadians want economic development, but they do not appear willing to accept a model where biodiversity protections can simply be overridden in the name of urgency or competitiveness.”
Nature Canada says the findings suggest governments may be underestimating the political importance Canadians place on protecting species and ecosystems.
“The public mood is more nuanced than a simple ‘economy versus environment’ framing,” McMillan added. “Canadians appear to want both economic resilience and strong protections for the natural systems that support life, identity, and long-term prosperity.”
Nature Canada is encouraging Canadians, policymakers, and media to review the full analysis by EKOS President Frank Graves.
A charity since 1939, Nature Canada has been the voice for nature. Our mission is to cultivate and strengthen the connections and conditions needed for species and habitats to flourish. Our vision is a Canada where nature is restored, thriving, and an integral part of everyday life, rooted in all the decisions that shape our shared future.
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For more information, contact:
Scott Mullenix media@naturecanada.ca
