Almost two thirds of British Columbians (64%) believe it is time for a change of government

Clark drops, Horgan stable, Weaver surgesĀ 

 

FEWER British Columbians are satisfied with the performance of Premier and BC Liberal Leader Christy Clark, a new Insights West poll conducted April 5-8 found.

In the online survey of a representative sample of British Columbians, the approval rating for Clark has dropped to 30% (down six points since an Insights West survey conducted in February).

Opposition and BC New Democratic Party leader John Horgan is at 37% (-2).

Andrew Weaver of the BC Green Party shows significant improvement, gaining six points in two months to reach 35%.

Weaver posts a momentum score of +4 (12% say their opinion of the BC Green leader has improved over the past three months, while 8% say it has worsened).

Horgan is even, and Clark stands at -39, with 44% saying their opinion of her has worsened.

Among decided voters, 40% would cast a ballot for the BC NDP candidate in their riding (-1 since February). The governing BC Liberals are second with 38% (-2), followed by the Green Party with 17% (+6) and the BC Conservative Party with 3% (-2).

More than a third of British Columbians (37%) say they would be ā€œvery upsetā€ if the BC NDP forms the government again in the province, including 48% of those aged 55 and over.

Conversely, a majority of residents (53%) say they would be ā€œvery upsetā€ if the BC Liberals remain in power, including 57% of those aged 18-to-34.

Almost two thirds of British Columbians (64%) believe it is time for a change of government in the province, including 33% of those who voted for the BC Liberals in 2013.

 

TWO-IN-FIVE British Columbians (41%) are undecided when asked which one of the three party leaders would make the best head of government. Clark holds a three-point edge over Horgan (25% to 22%), with Weaver at 12%.

Horgan is regarded as the best leader to tackle housing, poverty and homelessness (39%), health care (37%), education (36%) and accountability (29%).

Clark is ahead on dealing with the economy and jobs (38%) and energy and pipelines (29%).

Weaver leads on the environment (45%).

Clark and Horgan are virtually tied on crime and public safety (25% to 24%).

The BC NDP leader is also regarded as sharing the views of most British Columbians on child care (35%), seniors care (31%), fundraising for political parties (26%) and helping residents become homeowners (also 26%).

Clark is the preferred choice for creating jobs (32%), managing the provinceā€™s finances (29%) and transportation projects (25%).

ā€œWhile most British Columbians cannot currently select their ideal premier, they definitely have opinions about the abilities of leaders to deal with specific issues,ā€ says Mario Canseco, Vice President, Public Affairs, at Insights West. ā€œPremier Clark is still regarded as a superior economic manager, while opposition leader Horgan is connecting on themes like housing, education and care.ā€

The most important issue facing the province continues to be housing, poverty and homelessness (38%, +6 since February and at 51% among those aged 18-to-34), followed by health care (19%, -4) and the economy and jobs (16%, =).

Women (41%), voters aged 18-to-34 (43%) and voters aged 35-to-54 (also 43%) currently favour the BC NDP, while men (43%) and voters aged 55 and over (46%) prefer the BC Liberals.

The two main parties hold on to most of their support from the 2013 provincial ballot (81% for the BC Liberals, 84% for the BC NDP). While at least two thirds of those who intend to vote for the BC Liberals (69%) or the BC NDP (66%) say they will not change their minds before election day on May 9, only 52% of BC Green Party voters are fully committed to the party at this stage.

Among British Columbians who voted for the Liberal Party in the 2015 Canadian federal election, 49% are currently supporting the BC Liberals, while 34% are backing the BC NDP.

The main factor motivating voters of all three major parties is ideas and policies (46% for BC Liberal voters, 35% for BC NDP voters and 58% for BC Green voters). The second motivator sees some drastic changes, with 30% of BC Liberal voters mentioning a desire for stability, 30% of BC NDP voters outlining a desire for change, and 22% of Green voters expressing disgust with other contending candidates.