An Angus Reid Institute poll released at the start of the B.C. election period shows the B.C. Conservatives leading the NDP by 8 points.
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A new Angus Reid Institute poll suggests the B.C. Conservatives have entered the election period with an 8-point advantage over the B.C. NDP following Premier David Eby’s snap election call.
The survey puts support for the Conservatives at 43 per cent among B.C. voters, compared with 35 per cent for the NDP, a shift from earlier polling: Angus Reid says the NDP led by four points as recently as about 10 days ago.
Angus Reid’s analysis links Eby’s decision to call the election early to softening support for the governing party, noting that reactions to the timing appear to be a key factor so close to the start of the campaign.
Two-thirds of respondents told the pollster it is “too soon” to go to the polls, including 71 per cent of Conservative voters and 52 per cent of NDP voters, indicating dissatisfaction with how quickly the election was called rather than opposition being concentrated only among one side.
The poll also finds a majority view Eby as prioritizing personal or political interests over provincial needs in making the decision to hold a snap election; 65 per cent of respondents said that is the case.
On voter intention, Angus Reid reports that the NDP would need to reaffirm its existing base, with 65 per cent of respondents who voted for the party in 2024 saying they would do so again. By contrast, 85 per cent of people who previously supported the Conservatives are still aligned with their party.
Despite the early lead, the pollster stresses the results are preliminary: one-in-five voters say they are undecided about who they will support, while only 35 per cent say they are locked into their choice already.
The poll comes with election day set for Oct. 24, leaving about a month for parties to persuade voters as the public weighs whether the early timing of the vote was justified.
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