A new national poll commissioned by WaterPower Canada and conducted by Abacus Data finds that more than 90% of Canadians support expanding both new and existing hydropower facilities in the country.

According to the survey, Canadians view hydropower as an affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy option and consider it a key part of Canada’s clean energy future.

“Canadians are sending a clear message: they want more investment in hydropower,” said Lorena Patterson, CEO and President of WaterPower Canada. “Hydro is already doing the heavy lifting – when it comes to delivering clean, reliable, and affordable electricity. These findings confirm that Canadians overwhelmingly support expanding hydro’s role in our energy mix.”

When asked what factors matter most in energy decisions, 36% of respondents ranked the cost of energy for consumers as their top priority. Economic benefits ranked second at 24%, while environmental impact was cited as most important by 20% of respondents. Younger Canadians were more likely to prioritize environmental concerns, while older Canadians focused more on domestic energy security.

“Canadians are clear about their priorities,” said Patterson. “With price being the most important consideration, hydropower stands out as a dependable and cost-effective option to meet our growing energy needs.”

Support for hydropower is strong across age groups and political affiliations:

  • 91%of Canadians support the development of new and existing hydropower facilities.
  • Among Conservative Party voters, 31% strongly support hydropower, with 41% prioritizing energy cost and 27% citing economic benefits.
  • Liberal Party voters show 35% strong support, with top priorities including price (33%), reliability (24%), environmental impact (22%), and economic benefits (21%).
  • Among NDP voters, 30% strongly support hydropower, with environmental impact (28%) and price (31%) ranking highest.

Despite some variation in priorities, the poll indicates that hydropower’s affordability, reliability, and economic impact appeal across political lines.

“With Canada’s electricity demand set to double by 2050, expanding our clean power capacity is critical,” Patterson said. “Hydropower is a made-in-Canada solution that enjoys broad public backing – now is the time to build on that support to meet both energy and climate goals.”