DESPITE the uncertainty surrounding John Rustad’s leadership of the BC Conservative Party, and perhaps because of all the criticisms British Columbians have for the current BC NDP government, the BC Conservatives still hold a strong position in vote intention, according to an Angus Reid Institute poll.

The BC NDP (40%) and Conservatives (41%) are in a statistical tie, with the BC Greens, under new leader Emily Lowan, holding the third position (11%). The two upstart parties OneBC (5%) and CentreBC (1%) are currently polling in single digits.

However, the BC NDP has a solid lead in seat-rich Metro Vancouver with 49-per-cent support as compared to the BC Conservatives’ 33-per-cent support. The BC Greens have nine-per-cent support and OneBC commands six-per-cent support.

On the Island and the North Coast, the BC NDP leads with 38-per-cent support followed by the BC Conservative (36 per cent), the BC Greens (22 per cent) and OneBC (four per cent).

In the Fraser Valley, the BC Conservatives lead with 46-per-cent support, followed by the BC NDP (40 per cent) and the BC Greens (eight per cent).

In the Interior, the BC Conservatives enjoy a massive lead with 55-per-cent support, followed by the BC NDP (28 per cent), OneBC (eight per cent), and the BC Greens (seven per cent).

The Angus Reid Institute conducted an online survey from October 23-25 among a randomized sample of 1,044 Canadian adults who live in B.C. and are members of Angus Reid Forum. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/- 3 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding. The survey was self-commissioned and paid for by ARI.