G7 Nations Favour Canada as Their Primary Oil Provider, Poll Finds

Canada has been named the top preferred oil supplier among G7 nations, according to a newly released poll.

When asked to evaluate eight potential suppliers, participants from G7 countries placed Canada among the top three 68 percent of the time, making it the most frequently ranked supplier out of the options available, the Ipsos poll released on June 11 found.

The results come ahead of the summit next week in Alberta’s Kananaskis Country, which will see leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) nations come together to discuss trade and other political and economic topics. The G7 is made up of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Canada edged out Norway to top the poll, while the nordic country trailed by just two points, garnering 66 percent. It was the only country that came close to matching Canada’s popularity as a supplier.

The Middle East was well behind in third place with 47 percent, followed by Mexico at 40 percent, and the United States at 34 percent. Venezuela was sixth with 26 percent, while Russia took seventh place with 18 percent and China took last place with 17 percent.

Canada’s popularity rose 3 percent since the 2023 poll when it tied for first place with Norway. Only two countries experienced major changes between the two polls. The Middle East’s fortunes rose 12 percent from 35 percent in 2023, while opinions about the United States plummeted nearly 30 percent from the 60 percent it received in 2023.

“Amidst geopolitical instability, Canada continues to stand out as a reliable and democratic source of oil characterized by robust environmental safeguards among G7 allies,” Ipsos senior vice-president of public affairs Gregory Jack said in the report.

“This presents a significant opportunity for Canadian producers to contribute to the global supply as Canada hosts world leaders from the G7. By differentiating itself from the U.S. and others, Canada can leverage its unique position to build support for its hydrocarbon exports, solidifying its role in the evolving global energy marketplace.”

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith voiced similar sentiments in a statement released on June 11.

Smith said the results of the poll indicate Alberta’s increasing recognition as a reliable and responsible energy producer, while pointing to the province’s environmental regulations and human rights standards as factors in its favour.

“The vote of confidence from our G7 allies also speaks to the incredible scale of the opportunity in front of us,” Smith said in the statement. “Now is the time for us to work together to unleash the full potential of Alberta’s energy sector and create jobs and prosperity for generations of people in Alberta and Canada.”

Smith also repeated her call for Ottawa to remove production caps and throw its support behind an oil pipeline to the west coast.

The Alberta premier has been vocal in recent months about building a pipeline from her province to the B.C. coast to get Canadian oil to markets outside of the United States. Canada currently sends the vast majority of its oil to the United States at a discounted price, something Smith and some of her provincial counterparts want to see change.

Smith has also been critical of the federal emissions cap for the oil and gas sector, saying it hinders economic growth.

Canada Tops North American Poll, 2nd in G20

Canada also fared well with countries outside the G7. It was chosen as the preferred oil supplier for both North America and the G20, which is a forum of 19 countries, as well as the European Union and the African Union.

Canada was the No. 1 choice among North American oil customers, increasing its support to 76 percent this year compared to 2023, when 71 percent of countries said it was their preferred supplier.

The United States fell from a tie for first place in 2023 at 71 percent to 34 percent this year, taking sixth place on the list of eight. Mexico was second, rising from 67 percent two years ago to 69 percent this year.

Norway was third choice, climbing from 54 percent to 61 percent, followed by the Middle East which rose from 31 percent to 38 percent. Venezuela was fifth, going from 33 percent to 37 percent, while China was seventh, holding steady at 22 percent. Russia was last, falling from 21 percent to 17 percent.

Canada did not take the top spot among the G20 countries, but it did place a strong second at 51 percent, just behind the Middle East’s 54 percent, the poll found. Norway was third at 46 percent, followed by the United States at 38 percent, and Russia at 34 percent. Mexico was sixth with 31 percent, China was seventh at 29 percent, and Venezuela was last at 28 percent.

“As the U.S. experiences a drop in its global reputation, citizens of G20 nations are increasingly preferring other sources of oil to meet their import needs,” Jack said.

“Canada has opportunities to tell its responsible development story to countries seeking environmentally regulated, democratic oil as the world turns away from viewing the United States as a preferred supplier.”