by Nelson Wyatt

05-09-05 Almost half of Canadians wanted to see their petroleum resources and their gas companies nationalized as fuel prices hit record levels, a new poll suggests. The Leger Marketing telephone survey of 1,500 people was conducted between Aug. 24 and Aug. 31, the bulk being done before the devastating effects of hurricane Katrina were felt.
Gas prices have jumped around 25 cents a litre since the storm that battered the US Gulf Coast. For example, prices in Montreal and Halifax averaged $ 1.38 a litre but the regulated price in St John's, NL, was $ 1.48.
In Toronto, prices stood at about $ 1.35 but were also seen at around $ 1.22.
Western drivers tanked up for $ 1.08 to $ 1.13 in Edmonton and $ 1.07 to $ 1.14 in Calgary.

In the Leger poll, 49 % of respondents wanted petroleum resources nationalized while 43 % said they would like to see the same fate for gas companies across the country. Quebecers were the strongest supporters of resource nationalization at 67 %, followedby residents of the Atlantic provinces at 53 %, Ontarians at 45 % and British Columbia at 42 %.
Forty % of respondents on the Prairies and 36 % of Albertans were in favour. Among those opposed, Albertans led the way at 49 % followed by British Columbians at 39 %.
Quebec led in support for nationalization of oil companies, with 61 % in favour, followed by the Atlantic provinces (46 %). Alberta was most opposed at 59 %, followed by the Prairies (49 %), BC (46 %) and Ontario (41 %).

Most of the respondents -- 79 % -- suggested they would like to see taxes on gasoline cut, although federal and provincial governments have made it clear that is unlikely. Seventy-six % of respondents indicated they would like the government to intervene after recent gas hikes preceding Katrina. Fifty-four % suggested they would like the government to fix the pump price.
Twenty-six % of respondents blamed the gas companies for pre-Katrina price spikes, followed by 18 % pointing the finger at oil-producing countries. However, 63 % of respondents said pre-Katrina gas price hikes had not affected their fuel consumption. Twenty-five % said they were using less gas.

Results of the poll are considered accurate within 2.6 percentage points 19 times out of 20.
Katrina cut a swath of destruction along the Gulf Coast, shutting down nine Gulf Coast refineries. It disrupted gasoline pipelines to the Midwest and East and stopped 90 % of the oil production in the Gulf of Mexico. As a result, prices at the pump soared and continued to climb. The Gulf is responsible for around 30 % of US crude production and one-quarter of its gas. A large portion of US oil imports also arrive at Gulf Coast ports.