Two opinion polls place the BC NDP in the range of a majority government as the provincial election nears the end of its first week.
Vancouver-based polling firm Research Co. says that 44 per cent of decided voters would support John Horgan’s party on October 24.
The BC Liberals are in second place with 37 per cent, followed by the BC Green Party at 13 per cent and the BC Conservative Party at 4 per cent.
Insights West, another market research firm based in Vancouver, has the NDP holding a wider lead, with 42 per cent of decided voters saying they would support the party compared to 29 per cent for the BC Liberals.
However, voters also expressed a majority disapproval with the government’s decision to call an early election.
Insights West says that 58 per cent of British Columbians oppose the snap election, including 30 per cent who were “strongly opposed.”
Even among NDP supporters, 35 per cent expressed opposition to the early election, although only 7 per cent say they were strongly opposed.
In both polls, the NDP scored higher among female voters. Research Co. says the party holds a 12-point lead (47 per cent to 35 per cent) among women, while Insights West says 46 per cent of voters intend to vote for the NDP.
Research Co. also says that John Horgan remains a strong favourite for Premier. 44 per cent of voters say the NDP leader would make the Best Premier of British Columbia, while 27 per cent chose Wilkinson.
BC Green Leader Sonia Furstenau, who has only held her current post for 10 days, was chosen by 7 per cent of voters as the best choice for premier.
“The most pressing concerns of voters in British Columbia vary greatly depending on age,” said Mario Canseco, President of Research Co.
“Housing, poverty and homelessness is especially important for those aged 18-to-34 (29%), while the economy and jobs is top of mind for those aged 35-to-54 (26%) and health care is paramount for those aged 55 and over (29%).”
Steve Mossop, President of Insights West, said that while Horgan has approval ratings among the highest of any sitting Premier, a lot can change in the coming weeks.
“Many elections have been lost or won during an election campaign despite early public polling numbers,” said Mossop.
“We still have a long way to go before the final ballots are tallied.”
Results from Research Co. are based on an online study conducted from September 21 to September 23, 2020, among 750 likely voters in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.6 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty. Data tables for the Research Co. survey are available online.
Results from Insights West are based on an online study conducted from September 22 – 23, 2020 among a sample of 1000 BC residents. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Data tables for the Insights West survey are available online.
