Every few months, Leger conducts a study on the performance of the British Columbian government. This time, the study was conducted between October 10 and October 12, 2025.
Highlights include…
- NDP Extends Double-Digit Lead: The BC NDP has widened its lead over the Conservatives to ten points (48% versus 38%), marking the party’s strongest position since the 2020 election under John Horgan. Support for the NDP is now at its highest level in over a decade, while the Conservatives have slipped five points from their post-election high a year ago. The BC Greens, despite new leadership under Emily Lowan, remain in distant third place with just eight percent support, their lowest result on record.
- Leader Approval Softens Across the Board: Approval ratings for all major provincial leaders have declined this wave. Premier David Eby’s approval has eased slightly to 47% (down from 51%), while BC Conservative leader John Rustad’s rating has dropped more sharply to 30% (down five points). New Green Party leader Emily Lowan debuts with a 27% favourability rating as she becomes more visible to the public. Notably, around one-third of British Columbians say their opinions of both Eby (30%) and Rustad (34%) have worsened over the past six months, far outpacing those who say their opinions have improved.
- Housing Tops Provincial Concerns Again: Housing affordability has once again emerged as the most pressing issue in British Columbia, cited by 23% of residents, up four points since the last wave. Healthcare, while still a key concern, has slipped to 16%, followed by the economy and inflation (10% each). Despite strong overall support for the NDP, approval of the government’s handling of key files has declined. Ratings for labour negotiations are down ten points to 25%, federal relations have dropped six points to 44%, and satisfaction with the government’s handling of tariffs, the economy, and taxes has also fallen modestly. Overall, 40% of residents believe the province is on the right track, while 52% feel it is headed in the wrong direction, up from May.
- Rustad Faces Leadership Doubts: Despite receiving a 70% confidence vote from party members earlier this month, public opinion toward John Rustad’s leadership remains deeply divided. Nearly two-thirds (63%) of British Columbians think he should step down as leader of the BC Conservatives, while only 37% believe he should stay. Even among his own party’s supporters, the split is nearly even, with 54% saying he should remain and 46% believing it’s time for change. Four in ten voters say Rustad’s leadership makes them less likely to support the BC Conservatives, compared to just two in ten who say it makes them more likely. Across nearly all key issues, David Eby continues to outperform Rustad in public confidence.
Methodology
This web survey was conducted from October 10 to October 12, 2025, with 1,035 British Columbians aged 18 or older, randomly recruited from LEO’s online panel. A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey. For comparison, a probability sample of 1,035 respondents would have a margin of error of ±3.00%, 19 times out of 20.
