The Conservative Party of B.C. holds a slight lead over the B.C. NDP following BC United’s decision to suspend its campaign and endorse the Conservatives, according to data from Angus Reid.
In terms of leadership, the NDP’s David Eby has a favorable rating of 43 percent, with Conservative leader John Rustad at 33 percent.
“Criticism of Eby has been increasing since he became premier in November 2022, while many respondents claim they do not know enough about Rustad to form an opinion,” noted the survey authors.
The survey also highlights the changing opinions of the leaders, with 18 percent stating their opinion of Rustad has improved in recent weeks, compared to just 9 percent for Eby.
Regarding party loyalty, 68 percent of former BC Liberals, now known as BC United, plan to vote Conservative in the upcoming election. Seventeen percent are leaning towards the NDP, while 8 percent remain undecided.
Election Issues
Key issues for voters include housing and the opioid crisis, according to Angus Reid.
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However, a majority of British Columbians believe the province is heading in the wrong direction when it comes to affordable housing (69 percent) and the opioid crisis (68 percent).
Only 16 percent feel optimistic about the province’s efforts to address housing affordability.
Survey respondents expressed dissatisfaction with the province’s ability to ensure safety in their communities, with 45 percent feeling unsafe and 40 percent feeling safe. Fourteen percent were undecided.
Regarding financial security, 49 percent feel that B.C. is not on the right track in terms of personal finances, while 30 percent believe the province is heading in the right direction, and 20 percent remain undecided.
Sixty percent of respondents are disappointed with the accessibility of healthcare, with 30 percent believing the province is on the right track in this area. Ten percent were undecided.
These survey results come after BC United’s decision to suspend its campaign and withdraw candidates from the election in an effort to prevent vote splitting between the United and Conservative parties, as leader Kevin Falcon stated on Aug. 28.
Falcon emphasized that this strategic move was deemed necessary to enhance the chances of defeating the ruling NDP.
The provincial Conservatives have expressed their willingness to consider picking up former BC United candidates, emphasizing their commitment to fielding strong candidates in all ridings.
