BC PULSE – Voters sour on NDP as BC Conservatives gain more traction
Premier Eby at a fire centre visit earlier this summer. (BC Govt file photo)
By ANGUS REID INSTITUTE
September 5, 2024 – As the dust from recent explosive events in B.C. politics continues to settle, focus is shifting to party policies as British Columbians assess which of the remaining options offer the best plans to deal with the pressing issues facing the province.
New data from the non-profit Angus Reid Institute finds many British Columbians critical of the current BC NDP government, and a strong preference to the challenging BC Conservatives on several key issues.
On the high cost of living (37%) and street crime (41%), the BC Conservatives are the choice as ‘best to lead’ by a plurality, giving them an edge of 10 points and 15 points respectively over the incumbent BC NDP.
The BC NDP are slightly preferred over the BC Conservatives on health care (35% to 31%) and the BC Conservatives hold a narrow advantage on housing affordability (34% to 29%). On other key matters, the two parties are in statistical ties.
It is also worth noting there are plenty of people left to be convinced as to who has the best plan. At least one-quarter believe none of the three main political parties and leaders are a solid choice on the top seven issues as chosen by B.C. residents.
The BC NDP government led by Premier David Eby enters the coming campaign period viewed by the majority as performing poorly on the rising cost of living (70%), health care (65%), housing affordability (72%), public safety (67%), drug use (74%) and homelessness (75%).
While plenty of this criticism comes from people who are currently supporting opposing parties, many current BC NDP supporters also say improvement is needed from the government. Approaching half (47%) of likely BC NDP voters say the government has performed poorly on cost of living, while majorities believe it has mishandled the files of housing affordability (52%), poverty (57%) and drug use (55%).
More Key Findings:
- Four-in-five (80%) undecided voters say the cost of living is the top issue facing the province, while half (52%) say it’s health care and housing affordability (48%). Those three issues far outpace other concerns for those who aren’t currently leaning one way or another in this election.
- The BC NDP government is seen as performing best on its relationship with the federal government (38% good job), Indigenous issues (37%), education (37%) and emergency management (36%). However, these are chosen as top issues by one per cent, three per cent, six per cent and three per cent of the population respectively.
- Women older than 34 lean towards voting BC NDP at the moment, but are the most divided demographic when it comes to who they believe would perform best – BC NDP or the BC Conservatives – on the top issues of the day. They select the two parties at near equal rates as best to perform on cost of living, housing affordability and addictions.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
A man was killed, and another had his hand chopped off by a random attacker in Vancouver.
This is a direct consequence of the NDP’s insistence that people with mental and drug addiction issues live on our streets. Not only that, but this sadistic man had 60 previous contacts with police. Also a consequence of the Attorneys General not directing Crown to prosecute for crimes, and the revolving door bail system. The progressive criminal justice reforms seem anything but, and more closely resemble medieval justice – but directed towards the victims.
People in our communities are regularly observed with weapons. Yet nothing happens. WTF is going on out here?
Our society is broken. The consequences for crime are shouldered by the victims.
It’s time to get the enablers out of power, and award leadership to those who will bring back common sense to BC.
LikeLike