The BC Conservatives and BC NDP remain statistically tied one month before the provincial election, according to a new poll.
Premier David Eby’s NDP are on 44 per cent among decided voters, while John Rustad’s Conservatives are just behind on 42 per cent.
Research Co.’s survey – the second major poll since BC United pulled out of the race – found that Rustad and Eby are tied among men, while Eby is far ahead among women (38 per cent to 21 per cent).
The Conservatives also lead among voters aged between 35 and 54.
“The disappearance of BC United has propelled the BC Conservatives to first place in Southern BC, where the race was exceptionally close in July,” said Mario Canseco, president of Research Co., in a summary of the poll.
“Conversely, 16 per cent of decided voters in Northern BC are willing to support other parties or independent candidates—the highest proportion across all five regions of British Columbia.”
The NDP are ahead in Metro Vancouver and Vancouver Island, according to Canseco’s poll, while the Conservatives also lead in the Fraser Valley.
Canseco’s poll found that the BC Greens are on 10 per cent, retaining just 43 per cent of their 2020 voters. The biggest chunk of those voters – 41 per cent – have moved over to the Conservatives.
According to the survey, the NDP are keeping 76 per cent of voters who backed the party during John Horgan’s leadership.
As for the BC Liberal vote, the poll found that just 60 per cent of voters who backed the party in 2020 are inclined to follow Kevin Falcon’s advice and vote for the Conservatives.
More than a quarter (29 per cent) are planning to go over to the NDP instead.
Canseco’s survey was based on the responses of 802 BC adults who were asked questions online between Sept. 9 and 11.
To listen to Canseco discuss his polls and the BC election, click here.
The election is set to be held on Oct. 19.
