TransCanada Corp uses unrest in Middle East to promote Keystone XL pipeline

For months, pro-pipeline groups and anti-Keystone activists have going hard at each other.

Both sides have well-funded campaigns underway in an effort to sway public opinion.

The latest campaign comes courtesy of TransCanada Corp. — the company behind the proposed oil pipeline that could potentially transport up 830,000 barrels of oil per day from northern Alberta to the Gulf of Mexico.

On Friday, the Canadian oil giant released their latest round of television and radio ads in the United States. This time hoping to build upon anti-Middle East sentiment.

[ Related: Battle of the Redfords: Alberta premier slams Hollywood legend over anti-oilsands video ]

In the battle for public opinion, it looks like the pro-pipeline brigade seems to winning — rather convincingly.

A Pew Research survey, released last month, suggests that 65 per cent of Americans are in favour of building the Keystone XL pipeline.

[ Related: American environmentalists to Stephen Harper: 'We’re not taking yes for an answer' on Keystone XL ]

In Canada as well, it appears that the public supports the pipeline.

An Ipsos Reid poll, released last week, indicates that 60 per cent of Canadians ‘agree’ with this statement: "I'm concerned that if Canada's government can't find a way to proceed with some of the oil and gas pipelines that have been proposed, our economy could be hurt in a way that impacts my family's financial security."

President Barack Obama has the final say on whether the Keystone pipeline is a go; he is expected to make that decision early next year.

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