Nearly $800M museum project unpopular among British Columbians: Poll

The Royal BC Museum replacement project continues to be a political football for the NDP government, according to a new poll.

The majority of people who were surveyed by the Angus Reid Institute oppose the project, which is slated to cost $789 million. Only 22 per cent are in favour.

The province says the financial demands are necessary in order to create a seismically safe facility, as well as one that is inclusive and modern by 2030. However, the project has been met with backlash as B.C.’s sky-high gas prices continue to be the most expensive in Canada, at a time when the cost of living is also reaching record levels.

BCNDP holds 11-point vote intention advantage over opposition BC Liberals (42% to 31%) (Courtesy: angusreid.org)

Institute president Shachi Kurl says the project is thought of as a political “thud” for Premier John Horgan and his party, adding many British Columbians want the money to be spent elsewhere.

“The issue of health care, we’ve heard lots and lots of anecdotal stories around how British Columbians are feeling frustrated either by lack of access to a family doctor, issues around being on weightless issues with access to facilities at a time when hospitals either need retrofits or full rebuilds. Perhaps for one of the first times in the tenure of the Horgan government, we are seeing some real levels of frustration after an extended honeymoon.”

She says it also had many questioning if the Horgan government was simply disconnected with the real concerns of voters right now.

“What we are seeing now, both nationally and in British Columbia, is that pandemic management is an issue very much in the rear view and cost of living, affordability and the way government is managing these files and spending its money. It is very much what British Columbians are focused on right now,” Kurl explained.

At least seven out of 10 respondents say the government is performing poorly when it comes to cost of living, health care, and housing affordability.

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“Although this museum announcement has been a vastly unpopular one,” Kurl says, “we’ve yet to see the BC Liberals or whatever they’re going to be called be able to politically capitalize on this.”

She says many voters don’t appear to be making a major switch.

“The BC NDP is not yet paying the price for it politically,” Kurl added.

She says the poll did find that new BC Liberal Leader Kevin Falcon is polling favourably with 23 per cent of British Columbians, but is not popular with 44 per cent.

Horgan’s popularity has dipped in recent days, according to the same institute, which places him in the third spot across the country’s premiers.

However, it argues the BC Liberals have yet to really capitalize on that, and the NDP holds a an 11-point vote intention over the opposition.

The survey was done between June 7 – 13 among a randomized sample of 615 adults, who are members of the Angus Reid Forum.