British Columbians opinions on the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion are the same as they were six months ago according to a recent survey.

56 percent of BC residents agree with the federal government’s plans to move forward with the project.

And while we can all agree that jobs will be created, Research Co’s President Mario Canseco says only about a third are buying into Alberta’s claim that once the project is done, we’ll see a drop in prices at the gas pump. “I think it’s a good strategy for the government of Alberta to try to sell the idea that they’re paying attention to this file and to try to create jobs there but it is one of the lowest ranked questions in the survey.”

“We just don’t see a lot of residents say ‘Yes, it this gets built gas is suddenly going to be cheaper here’.”

As far as those jobs go, Canseco says people know they won’t all be permanent. “I think there’s definitely more residents who look at this as something that is going to be beneficial while the pipeline is getting built.”

“It’s not something that is necessarily going to be long term. But I think what we see here also is a situation that can be beneficial to Alberta as well. You know they see it as an opportunity to bring some of those oil and gas workers who haven’t been able to find a job because of the downturn to try to find something different to do.”

Predictably, support for the project is highest in the Interior while the lowest support is coming from Vancouver Island.