THE governing BC NDP remains ahead of the Conservative Party of BC as British Columbians consider their options in this year’s provincial election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 40% of decided voters (-2 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in May 2024) would cast a ballot for the governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) candidate in their riding if the election were held today, while 33% (+1) would support the Conservative Party of BC.

The BC Green Party is third with 15% (+3), followed by BC United—currently the Official Opposition in the Legislative Assembly—with 11% (-1). Other parties and independent candidates are backed by 2% of decided voters (=).

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

Two parties gained momentum in the voter consideration question: the BC Conservatives (46%, +4) and the BC Greens (38%, +3). The proportion of British Columbians who would consider supporting the BC NDP remains higher (54%, -1) while just over a third (34%, +1) feel the same way about BC United.

Housing, homelessness and poverty remains the most important issue for 40% of British Columbians (=). Health care is second on the list of pressing concerns with 20% (-1), followed by the economy and jobs (17%, +2), crime and public safety (8%, +3) and the environment (5%, =).

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).

Eby is also ahead on the “Best Premier” question (28%), followed by Rustad (14%), Falcon (13%) and Furstenau (11%). While more than half of BC NDP voters in the 2020 provincial ballot (54%) choose Eby, only 28% of those who voted for the BC Liberals in the same election select Falcon.

When asked which leader would be best suited to manage specific issues, Eby has significant leads on health care (30%), education (28%), the economy and jobs (26%), child care (also 26%), housing, homelessness and poverty (also 26%), accountability (25%), transportation projects (24%), managing the province’s finances (also 24%), crime and public safety (23%), energy (also 23%), creating jobs (also 23%) and seniors care (22%).

On the environment, Eby and Furstenau are tied with 23% each. Rustad posts his best numbers on crime and public safety (18%) and the economy and jobs (17%).

Results are based on an online study conducted from June 17 to June 19, 2024, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.