On behalf of Global Public Affairs, Leger surveyed British Columbians from January 20 to 23, 2023 to explore their perspectives on B.C. politics, including Premier David Eby’s performance, the issues that matter most to them, their approval of the various party leaders and their voting intentions.
SOME OF THE KEY FINDINGS OF OUR SURVEY ON B.C. POLITICS (DAVID EBY, IMPORTANT ISSUES, AND MORE) INCLUDE…
DAVID EBY AND THE PARTY LEADERS
New premier David Eby receives the highest approval rating of the leaders in 2023 at 49%. Still, with 23% unable to provide a rating (compared to John Horgan’s 10% in 2021), Eby has ground to cover to make sure he is known to all British Columbians.
Furstenau’s approval rating is softer in 2023 versus two years previously, and a lack of familiarity continues to be an issue for her. Falcon likewise suffers from a lack of recognition, and Bolin continues to receive the lowest approval rating and the lowest level of understanding.
MOST IMPORTANT B.C. ISSUES
Housing affordability remains the top issue in BC and as in the past is the most pressing concern for young British Columbians.
The newly added inflation/rising interest rates is clearly a key issue in the current economy and a close second to housing prices in terms of number who identify it as the top issue in BC. Health care has risen significantly as an issue in the minds of British Columbians in 2023 compared with that of recent years.
Beyond these top three, the remaining issues are most important to only a small segment of the population.
PROVINCIAL VOTING INTENTIONS (AMONG DECIDED VOTERS)
NDP voting intentions are very strong, basically at the election result achieved in 2020 and equal to the tracking high for the party over time. BC Liberal support has softened since 2021 and remains in a very distant second place. The BC Green Party has lost its 2021 gains and is at a low level for the party versus past polling. Support for the BC Conservative Party has recovered somewhat, allowing them to pull slightly ahead of the Greens.
To learn more, including how B.C. residents rate David Eby and the BC NDP’s handling of key issues and how opinions of the party leaders are changing over time, download our full report.
SURVEY METHODOLOGY
- For the most recent wave of this study, 1,003 residents of British Columbia aged 18 or older were surveyed online using Leger’s online panel, LEO, from January 20 to 23, 2023.
- The data was weighted according to Canadian Census figures for age, gender and region within British Columbia.
- No margin of error can be associated with a non-probability sample, but for comparative purposes, a probability sample of this size would have a margin of error of +/-3.1%, 19 times out of 20.