As British Columbia moves into 2026, its political landscape is shifting. The latest Leger report card on british columbia politics shows the BC NDP’s lead over the BC Conservatives narrowing from 10 points to six points (44% vs. 38%).
The poll reveals a growing “wrong track” sentiment, as well as increasing dissatisfaction with housing, healthcare, and public safety.
A Shrinking Lead for the BC NDP
The latest Leger pulse check on british columbia politics reveals a tightening race and a growing sense of dissatisfaction among residents regarding the province’s current trajectory.
The B.C. NDP’s lead over the Conservative party has shrunk in the past three months. While David Eby’s NDP remains the frontrunner, their lead is no longer as comfortable as it once was. The six-point gap between the BC NDP and the BC Conservatives has narrowed by four points since October 2025 (44% vs 38%) — a peak that coincided with the height of former Conservative leader John Rustad’s unpopularity.
Newcomer party OneBC, who was introduced as a choice in the January 2026 poll, ranked fourth with 6% of BC voting intention. Despite new leadership under Emily Lowan, the BC Greens remain in distant third place with just 9% support.
Public Sentiment: A Province on the “Wrong Track“
For the first time in a while, a majority of British Columbians have expressed concern about the direction of the province. Currently, more than half (54%) believe the province is on the wrong track, while only 37% of respondents feel the province is moving in the right direction.
This indicates a strong desire for change, according to Steve Mossop, Leger’s executive vice president for Western Canada, in an interview with the Vancouver Sun. “We got mounting pressure on the economy, with Trump and tariffs, and we got increasing deficits in B.C., and there seems to be a lot of voter dissatisfaction over how the NDP has been handling things.”
Key Issues Dominating the Agenda
Additionally, poll results show that the government’s disapproval ratings have increased on several issues, including housing, healthcare, and the opioid crisis, as well as the economy, provincial-municipal relations, and reconciliation with First Nations.
What is driving this sentiment? The data points to a familiar set of challenges:
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- Housing affordability: Remains the #1 issue at 18%, though it has seen a slight decrease in intensity since late 2025.
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- Healthcare: Following closely at 17%, with a significant portion of the population (63%) disapproving of the government’s handling of the system.
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- Cost of living: Inflation and the economy continue to weigh heavily on voters, with 56% disapproving of the government’s economic management.
The Conservative Leadership Vacuum
As the BC Conservatives look toward their 2026 leadership election, they face a significant hurdle: lack of name recognition.
A majority of British Columbians report being unfamiliar with potential candidates. Darrell Jones (19%), a former president of the Pattison Food Group, and Kerry Lynne Findlay (13%), former federal MP, currently lead in familiarity, but they have substantial ground to cover to influence the broader electorate. Peter Milobar and political commentator Caroline Elliott tied at 12%.
Methodology
This online survey was conducted among 1,003 Canadian residents aged 18 or older, between January 23 and 26, 2026. Respondents were randomly recruited through LEO’s online panel. Results were weighted according to age, gender, region, and education to ensure a representative sample of the population of British Columbia.
A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey. For comparison, a probability sample of this size would have a margin of error of ±3.1%, 19 times out of 20.
