BC Conservatives capitalize on economic concerns as NDP support softens
Housing, jobs, and the economy fuel a tighter race between the BC Conservatives and NDP.
(Image: CBC)
A pair of new polls suggest British Columbia's political landscape has tightened, with the BC Conservatives either tied with or narrowly ahead of the governing New Democrats as voters focus on housing affordability, healthcare and the economy.
A Research Co. survey conducted June 3 to 5 found the BC Conservatives and BC NDP tied at 42 percent among decided voters. A separate Leger poll conducted June 1 and 2 placed the Conservatives ahead at 45 percent, compared with 41 percent for the NDP.
The results mark a significant improvement for the Conservatives compared with last fall and come days after Kerry-Lynne Findlay was selected as the party's new leader.
Research Co. found the Conservatives have increased their support by four points since October 2025, while the NDP slipped two points. The party also posted a voter retention rate of 89 percent among its 2024 supporters, compared with 84 percent for the governing New Democrats.
The polling comes as voters continue to rank housing affordability, the economy, and healthcare among the province's top issues.
Leger found housing prices and affordability were the most important issue for 31 percent of British Columbians, followed by healthcare at 29 percent and the economy at 24 percent. Research Co. found housing, poverty and homelessness ranked first at 29 percent, followed by the economy and jobs at 26 percent and healthcare at 21 percent.
(Visual: Leger)
The polling comes alongside other reports pointing to economic strain in the province.
A report released this month by the Business Council of British Columbia found youth employment in the province has fallen 14 percent since 2019, the largest decline of any province in Canada. The report said youth employment has dropped back to levels last seen in 2017 despite strong population growth, while labour-force participation among young people has fallen to 58.5 percent, the lowest level in the country.
Separate polling from Research Co. released in late May found only 33 percent of British Columbians rated the provincial economy positively, while 62 percent described economic conditions as bad or very bad. More than four in 10 respondents said they expect the economy to worsen over the next six months.
The province's fiscal outlook has also become a growing political issue. The government's latest budget projects a $13.3-billion deficit for 2026-27, followed by projected deficits of $12.2 billion and $11.4 billion in the next two fiscal years.
(Visual: Coastal Front)
Both polls suggest the Conservatives may have room to grow. Leger found only 26 percent of British Columbians were familiar with the new Conservative leader, while 61 percent reported either a neutral opinion or no opinion of her.
Research Co. found Premier David Eby's approval rating has fallen below 50 percent to 48 percent. Leger's preferred-premier measure showed Eby leading Findlay by three points, 30 percent to 27 percent.
The surveys also point to continued interest in a centre-right alternative. Research Co. found 47 percent of British Columbians believe there is room for another centre-right party, while 41 percent said it may be time to revive the BC Liberal brand. In a hypothetical ballot test that included the BC Liberals, the party captured 15 percent support, while the NDP led with 35 percent and the Conservatives followed closely at 34 percent.