At a time when concerns about affordability, the economy and sovereignty are great, the vast majority of Canadians are still very concerned about climate change. They also expect government leaders to be living up to their promises by taking strong action to address it.
What does that look like? It means becoming a renewable energy superpower, not a fossil fuel superpower. It means holding polluters accountable and building a green economy.
Most Canadians Believe Climate Action Is Still Possible
A new study released by Re.Climate, Canadians (Still) Care About Climate Change: Closing the Perception Gap on Climate Concern and Action, shows that three-quarters of Canadians worry about climate change and its impact on future generations. At the same time, 75 per cent also feel it is still possible to address it, and everyone has a role to play.
Read the report here.
Missed the webinar? Watch the recording here.
View the webinar presentation here.
Canadians Want a Renewable Energy Future, Not a Fossil Fuel One
The polling and research were fielded in September 2025 by Re.Climate and Abacus Data. Despite discussions of expanding oil and gas in Canada, what’s clear is that most people are more supportive of investing in renewable energy as a way to bolster our economic and political strength. In fact, 70 per cent of the public would feel pride if Canada were to become a renewable energy superpower, versus only 30 percent feeling that way about becoming an oil and gas superpower.
This sense of pride in renewable energy versus fossil fuel expansion holds up across all regions. For example, 56 per cent of Albertans share this feeling, as do 60 per cent of the public in Saskatchewan and 67 per cent in Manitoba.
The trick is to translate this pride into action amid cost-of-living pressures. According to Abacus Data CEO David Coletto, while climate concern may still be great, it’s being pushed down the priority list for many due to more immediate, day-to-day concerns.
“Climate change is still seen as a longer term problem. For most Canadians, it’s not as immediate as their need to keep their job or pay their rent,” said Coletto during Re.Climate’s February webinar, “Canadians (still) care about climate change, so why are we acting like they don’t?”.
During the webinar, Re.Climate senior advisor Dr. Louise Comeau also noted that, right now, the upfront costs of buying a heat pump feel prohibitive despite long-term savings.
Their advice for communicators is to be honest and concrete. Show how policies and programs can genuinely lower household costs and avoid any hype that promises savings people don’t believe are real (for more on this, check out Re.Climate’s 2025 playbook for communicating climate and affordability).
The Climate Perception Gap Is Real—and Costly
So what’s getting in the way? Misinformation and disinformation are playing a role. For example, 49 per cent of Canadians either only somewhat disagree or are neutral with the statement that climate change is a hoax.
There is also a climate perception gap. According to Coletto, most Canadians believe we can reverse the consequences of climate change if we work together. But they need visible examples of progress on the issue. They also need proof that they aren’t alone in caring about climate change.
As Comeau explained, when people think they’re alone in their concern, they don’t bring climate change up in conversation. That silence reinforces this false social norm that Canadians don’t care about climate change.
While 42 per cent of Canadians say they think about climate change daily, they believe only 26 per cent of their neighbours do. This mirrors gaps in views on climate doom as well. Fewer than 12 per cent of the public believe it’s too late to tackle the problem, but they think nearly half of Canadians do.
Comeau said even small acts can make a difference in breaking the climate silence, like calling elected officials or talking to friends and family.
She added that it can feel really lonely when you think you’re the only one worried about climate change. If communicators can convey in their messaging that people are not alone, it can unlock much-needed relief.
Making Climate Concern Visible Matters
Communicators can help close this gap by continuing to emphasize that climate change is real and harming us. Highlighting in the media and on social media that Canadians care and want our public investments to go to renewable energy, not fossil fuels, is a good way to change public perception. Sharing examples of the transition underway and the tangible benefits to ordinary Canadians is another.
The Canadians (Still) Care About Climate Change research also shows that words do matter. Canadians prefer narratives about building a positive future through climate action over technical “net zero” or populist narratives that pit workers against corporate interests. But messages alone are not enough. Messages must be repeated, delivered by trusted people and accompanied with visible signs—data, local examples, and leaders speaking up—that show most Canadians still care and want progress.
Finally, communicators can amplify the message that climate change is solvable, that most of us believe it is not too late, and that working together can make a difference.
Read the Report
Webinar Panellists
Louise Comeau | Senior Advisor | Re.Climate
Dr. Louise Comeau is a Senior Advisor at Re.Climate, Carleton University’s centre for climate change communications and public engagement. Louise is passionate about advancing evidence-based solutions to climate change. She specializes in mixed-method research, with a focus on social acceptance of climate change policies and the energy transition, especially electrification. Louise holds a doctorate in environmental management, focused on environmental ethics and behaviour change from the University of New Brunswick.
David Coletto | Founder and CEO | Abacus Data
Named one of Canada’s top 100 most influential people in Canadian politics by The Hill Times, David Coletto is one of Canada’s most recognizable pollsters and commentators on politics, consumer behaviour, and the workplace. He is the host and producer of inFocus with David Coletto, a podcast that explores the intersection of public opinion, politics, public policy, and consumer behaviour. He is also the official pollster for the Toronto Star and The Logic.
Watch the Webinar
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