Majority want BC resource development debate to happen without them: poll

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VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – According to a newly-released Ipsos Reid poll, only 21 per cent of British Columbians say they want to take part in the debate over natural resource development in the province.

Most of the 800 people polled — 49 per cent — say while it’s important that a discussion over resources take place, they don’t feel the need to wade into it themselves.

There is broader consensus about the value of natural resource development, with 85 per cent agreeing it’s good for the province.

“What we’re seeing is a desire to be involved in a conversation that isn’t seemingly so oppositional and strident at times,” says Stewart Muir, executive director of the resource industry advocate Resource Works, which commissioned the poll.

“I think simply looking to cast government or industry or environmentalists in a bad light in order to win an argument is not working with people.”

Respondents were split about whether the current debate over resources could be described as “open” or “respectful” or “honest”.

Muir concludes there is room for a middle ground, which is what the data suggests people want to see. He adds local politicians looking to get elected in May could take a lesson from this data.

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