There must have been something lost in translation. The Premier of Quebec is quoted in the English media as saying “there is no social acceptability for oil in Quebec.” Hmmm. Let’s see:
-There are more than six million light vehicles registered in Quebec in 2017 (Source: Autoconnex). This excludes every other kind of vehicle.
-There are nearly 3,000 gas stations across the province (Source: Statistics Canada).
-Motor gasoline use (final demand) in Quebec was higher in 2016 than it was back in 2008. (Source: Statistics Canada).
-Diesel fuel oil (final demand) in Quebec was higher in 2016 than it was back in 2007. (Source: Statistics Canada).
-Total use of refined petroleum products was higher in 2016 than it was back in 2010. (Source: Statistics Canada).
-Quebec generates twice as much GDP from petroleum refining as does New Brunswick (Source: Statistics Canada).
-Refined petroleum products are Quebec’s 7th largest international export industry (5 digit NAICS) with over $2 billion worth in 2017 (Source: Trade Data Online).
-Crude oil is the province’s second largest international import ($5.2 billion in 2017).(Source: Trade Data Online).
-There are over 12,000 km of provincial natural gas and oil transmission and distribution pipelines (Source: NR Canada).
I think it is fair to say there is lots of “social acceptability” for oil in Quebec. There just isn’t social acceptability for a pipeline bringing Alberta and Saskatchewan oil to the Maritimes.
Those are not the same.