Introduction

Natural resources have always been a fundamental cornerstone of Canada's identity and its prosperity. As the country begins the 21st century, the resource base itself remains much as it has over the past several generations, but rapid social and economic changes taking place both domestically and abroad are creating new pressures on the country's resource base and the industries these resources support. Canada's resource sector industries are realizing new opportunities for growth while at the same time being pressed to become more competitive. The environmental consequences of resource sector management continue to be an issue on the public agenda that defies straightforward solutions.

While natural resources fall largely within provincial jurisdiction, the federal government carries an important role in setting national objectives, conducting research and developing policies and programs, primarily through Natural Resources Canada (NRCAN). In fulfilling this mandate, NRCAN must ensure that it understands and takes into proper account the opinions, priorities and concerns of the Canadian public, as they relate to forestry, energy, mining and the earth sciences. This objective is accomplished, in part, through public opinion research that serves to guide strategic planning, policy development and communications.

In 1993, the Department (then Energy, Mines and Resources) commissioned a national public opinion survey to measure public opinion across Canada on key energy and resource issues, with the goal of establishing a benchmark against which such opinions could be tracked over time. In 1997, NRCAN repeated this study to identify how public opinions and priorities had changed over the previous four years. This second study incorporated forest sector issues to reflect the inclusion of the Canadian Forestry Service into the Department, drawing upon earlier national surveys conducted by Forestry Canada in 1989 and 1991.

The third wave of this research was commissioned by NRCAN in early 2002, to provide an update on Canadians' attitudes towards key natural resource issues. Public awareness is now identified as a Performance Indicator under Goal 1 of NRCAN's Performance Measurement Framework (Report on Plans and Priorities, 2001-2002). The specific objectives of the 2002 survey are to:

• Continue tracking Canadians' awareness, perceptions and priorities on key natural resource issues, identifying trends from data collected in 1993 and 1997;
• Determine public awareness of the importance and relevance of the natural resource sectors and science and technology;
• Identify regional and demographic differences in public opinion; and
• Provide strategic guidance to departmental planning and communications.

The current survey was designed to replicate the previous surveys conducted in 1993 and 1997, although somewhat shorter in length and with a few minor changes in content. The survey consisted of telephone interviews with a representative sample of 1,502 Canadians (18 years or older), conducted between February 25 and March 3, 2002. A more complete description of the methodology used to conduct this survey is provided at the back of the report.

This report begins with an executive summary and key conclusions, followed by a detailed analysis of the survey findings. Appended to this report is a copy of the survey questionnaire. The survey questions referenced by number in the report for easy reference, and match those in the 1993 and 1997 surveys (where applicable) to facilitate comparisons.

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Canadians' Attitudes Towards Natural Resources Issues, 2002  (PDF file: 475 K)

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