Poll commissioned by MP Kennedy Stewart, who is a vocal critic of the Trans Mountain expansion project

BURNABY (NEWS 1130) – The protests against the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion could get ugly, if you agree with the results of a poll out this morning.

The poll from Insights West suggests more British Columbians believe they need to ramp up their protesting. However, the number still isn’t huge — only 12 per cent.

Still, that’s nearly double what it was back in November.

The poll was commissioned by Burnaby South MP Kennedy Stewart, who is a vocal critic of the project. He has even been charged with contempt of court for ignoring an injunction during a protest last month at Kinder Morgan’s site on Burnaby Mountain.

Green leader Elizabeth May was also arrested at the same protest.

Stewart notes this poll asked people about civil disobedience — nothing to do with violence. “Nobody that I know and I’ve talked to is interested in anything to do with violence. This has got to do with just peaceful opposition to the pipeline.”

Last week, two polls suggested support for the project is on the rise.

Insights West found 55 per cent of British Columbians back the pipeline expansion, up from 44 per cent back in September. An Angus Reid poll had similar results, with 54 per cent of its respondents supporting the project compared to 48 per cent back in February.

“What makes this so difficult is that there’s a lot of people… that softly support this pipeline — think it’s an idea we might want to go ahead with,” argues Stewart.

As for those against the project, Stewart claims it isn’t radicals who are willing to engage in civil disobedience to stop it. He says the newest poll shows men and women, rich and poor, and supporters of all federal parties — even some Conservatives — are ready to do what it takes.

“You’re constructing something that’s almost as big as a SkyTrain from Edmonton to Burnaby… it’s not merely just expanding an old pipeline — it’s a brand-new pipeline,” he claims, adding he believes people feel “duped” by messaging from Kinder Morgan and the government.