The Financial Post reports in its Saturday, Feb. 15, edition that times are changing in Canada regarding energy development, influenced by Donald Trump's tariff threats. A Postmedia dispatch to the Post reports that a recent Angus Reid Institute poll shows a significant shift in priorities: in summer 2023, only 23 per cent of Canadians prioritized economic growth in energy policies, but that figure has risen to 43 per cent today. Energy independence is also crucial, increasing from 37 per cent to 46 per cent. Meanwhile, support for investing in alternative energy sources like wind and solar remains steady at 38 per cent, while concern for reducing emissions has dropped to 31 per cent. Angus Reid Institute's Jon Roe says: "The priorities have shifted in a big way among Canadians. ... People want economic growth to be prioritized because they're worried about the economic effects of Trump in the U.S. and these tariffs." Business Renewables Centre-Canada's Jordan Dye says, "[What the poll shows] is that Canadians want to see economic growth and security prioritized." Enserva's Gurpreet Lail says, "We need to diversify our economy and we need to get our energy out to tidewater, and to other countries that need it."
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