NDP holds healthy but narrowing lead in latest B.C. poll

The incumbent New Democratic Party is holding a healthy lead against its closest competitor in the run-up to the next B.C. election, but that lead is narrowing.

That’s the latest from Research Co., whose polling conducted in June showed that 40 per cent of decided voters were going to cast their ballot for Premier David Eby and his governing party.

The poll found the BC Conservatives in second place, with 33 per cent of respondents saying they’d cast their vote in favour of John Rustad and his team.

Meanwhile, the BC Greens have overtaken BC United for the first time in polling, coming in at third place with 15 per cent of the share of decided voters. Kevin Falcon’s United party dropped to fourth with 11 per cent of the voting share.

“The BC NDP remains ahead of all challengers in Metro Vancouver (41%), Vancouver Island (43%) and Southern BC (44%),” said Mario Canseco, president of Research Co. “The BC Conservatives lead in the Fraser Valley (40%) and Northern BC (53%).”

Research Co.’s poll also found the housing, homelessness, and poverty remain the “most important” issue for B.C. residents, with healthcare, the economy and jobs, and crime and public safety, following.

“BC United’s Kevin Falcon continues to have the lowest approval rating among the four major party leaders (32%, +1). The proportions are higher for BC Greens leader Sonia Furstenau (39%, +4), BC Conservative leader John Rustad (40%, +3) and Premier and BC NDP leader David Eby (53%, -1),” Research Co.’s survey found.

The poll surveyed 800 adults in B.C. between June 17 and 19.