In the national poll 43 percent of Canadians think action on climate change must wait until after the recession but an encouraging 57 percent still think climate change must come first, even if it means higher deficits for Canada.

"They're saying maybe we can have the best of both worlds," said Sean Simpson, research manager at Ipsos Reid. "Maybe instead of creating jobs in the tar sands we can create them in the environmental sector."

A surprising 64 percent of Canadians say the oilsands development in Alberta should be halted until a clean method can be found, as do 47 percent of Albertans.