With the BC Election coming up at the end of October, a new survey is attempting to offer some insight into the current political landscape.
A poll released on Tuesday by the Angus Reid Institute suggests that the New Democrats are seen as best on social and health issues, while the BC Liberals are deemed to be the strongest party on economic factors and the BC Greens continue to lead the way on climate change.
The data from the survey focuses on the issues of most importance to British Columbian voters – and the parties that do best – and worst – on those issues.
According to Angus Reid, COVID-19 response joins a list of issues that have continued to be front-of-mind for British Columbians since before the pandemic, including housing affordability, health care, climate change, and economic growth.
The data from Angus Reid reveals that 67 per cent of those surveyed believed that the NDP are best suited to continue handling the province’s COVID-19 response. Also, 50 per cent of respondents felt that the New Democrats would best handle housing affordability. On the other hand, 64 per cent of respondents believe the BC Liberals would lead the way on economic growth and 72 per cent favoured the Greens when it came to climate change.
At this stage, the recent survey shows that these dynamics favour the BC NDP, which holds a significant lead over the other opposition parties, according to Angus Reid.
The incumbent BC NDP currently holds an 18-point advantage in pre-debate vote intention, says the Angus Reid Institute.
The data suggests that 49 per cent say the will support John Horgan’s party, while 31 per cent say they will vote for the BC Liberals and 14 per cent the BC Greens. This dynamic is largely unchanged over the past month.
The data also shows that the majority of residents believe the election should not have called.
“Three-in-five British Columbians say that this election is unnecessary and should have been held next year. Notably, even 28 per cent of those who plan to support the NDP feel this way,” reads a statement from the institute.
In addition, Angus Reid says just two-in-five voters say they’re absolutely certain which party they will support and only one-in-three British Columbians say they are fully engaged in the campaign.
Graham Cox
