A recent poll by BC based Research Co finds a majority of British Columbians think voters will be sent to a snap provincial election by the end of the year.
According to the survey, 53% of the province think it is “very likely” or “moderately likely” that the province will have an election in 2023.
“Expectations of an early provincial election in British Columbia are highest among residents who voted for the BC Liberals in 2020 (61%),” said Mario Canseco, President of Research Co.
“Fewer BC New Democratic Party (NDP) and BC Green Party voters (52% and 48% respectively) see themselves casting ballots in 2023.”
If an early election takes place in 2023, more than half of British Columbians (53%) predict a win for the BC NDP, while 28% believe the BC Liberals / BC United will emerge victorious.
This study comes after a snap election was called in 2020 by former NDP leader John Horgan citing “instability,” and the potential for protracted delays in the legislature led to his decision to call an early election.
The NDP went on to win a majority government which Premier David Eby now leads.
Almost two thirds of British Columbians (64%) have a favourable opinion of John Horgan, who led the BC NDP from 2014 to 2022 and served as premier from 2017 to 2022.
The favourability rating for Campbell and Clark is almost identical among BC Liberal voters in 2020 (65% and 66% respectively).
Across British Columbia, Andrew Weaver (36%) has the highest favourability rating among former leaders of the BC Green Party, followed by Adriane Carr (32%), Adam Olsen (23%) and Jane Sterk (18%).
The results of this survey came from an online study conducted on February 4 to February 6, 2023, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia.
A detailed breakdown of statistics can be found at Research Co.
