Energy Literacy Survey

Energy affects everyone. Where it comes from, how it's used, how it's regulated and how it's perceived significantly shapes how Canadians work, play and live. As concerns about the environment and economy increase, so too does the need for balanced and credible information about energy in Canada.

The Centre for Energy believes that an informed public better understands and supports energy policy and regulatory choices, makes better business decisions related to energy, chooses careers in energy, invests in energy and uses energy wisely.

Each year, the Centre for Energy conducts an energy literacy survey to examine the awareness of, knowledge about, and attitudes towards Canada's energy sector. The results of the survey help shape our education programming. We provide relevant information about Canada's energy system in an effort to foster greater awareness and understanding of energy-related issues.

Our 2010 survey released November 15 shows a noticeable drop in the number of Canadians who believe Canada can meet its future energy needs - from 82 per cent in 2009 to 76 per cent in 2010. At the same time, Canadians increasingly believe it is important for Canada to be a global energy leader - from 82 per cent in 2009 to 89 per cent in 2010.

"There may be many reasons for seeing a drop in confidence at the same time as an increase in global aspiration," said Steven Bright, Senior Advisor, Canadian Centre for Energy information. "In our view, increased energy literacy can bridge the gaps between confidence and aspiration. A more informed public is able to make better choices related to their own energy use and enter into a more engaged dialogue with policy makers on how best to use our country's significant energy endowment."

The survey shows other movements in attitudes and awareness compared with last year.

• As in 2009, respondents were asked to identify the biggest challenge to energy use in Canada from a list of five challenges. The number of respondents picking challenges stemming from the environmental costs of producing and consuming energy rose from 2009 to 2010. By contrast, the number of people picking over-reliance on fossil fuels and the high cost of energy to consumers dropped from 2009 to 2010.
• Canadians are now more likely to correctly identify the oil sands as Canada's major source of crude oil, from 37 per cent in 2009 to 41 per cent in 2010.

The results of our second annual survey are now available to download.

2010 Survey Report (556KB PDF)
2010 Survey Media Release
2010 Survey Media Release French

The 2009 Energy Literacy Survey suggested two conclusions. First, that Canadians believe the energy industry is important and, second, that Canadians' knowledge of their energy sources is good, but there is always room for improvement.

2009 Survey Report (376KB PDF)
2009 Survey Media Release
2009 Survey Media Release French