(Angus Reid Global Scan) – The governing BC Liberals remain the top political party in British Columbia, according to a poll by Ipsos-Reid released by the Vancouver Sun, the Victoria Times Colonist and BCTV News. 47 per cent of respondents in the Canadian province would vote for the Liberals in next week’s election, a one per cent increase since April.
(Angus Reid Global Scan) – The governing BC Liberals remain the top political party in British Columbia, according to a poll by Ipsos-Reid released by the Vancouver Sun, the Victoria Times Colonist and BCTV News. 47 per cent of respondents in the Canadian province would vote for the Liberals in next week’s election, a one per cent increase since April.
The New Democratic Party (NDP) is second with 39 per cent, followed by the Green Party with 11 per cent. The election is scheduled for May 17. The BC Liberals won the May 2001 ballot, taking control of 77 seats in the provincial legislature, with the remaining two going to the NDP. Premier Gordon Campbell has headed the British Columbia government since June 2001.
While the BC Liberals hold an eight per cent lead among decided voters heading into the provincial ballot, the NDP appears to be winning the campaign. 59 per cent of respondents say NDP leader Carole James has done a good job in addressing the issues that matter most. Green Party leader Adriane Carr was second on the list with 55 per cent, followed by incumbent premier Campbell with 43 per cent.
The New Democrats had administered the westernmost province of Canada under four different premiers since November 1991. James was elected as the new party leader in November 2003. Carr has headed the BC Green Party since 2000. 38 per cent of respondents say their opinion of the current NDP leader has improved since the start of the campaign, while only 10 per cent feel the same way about Campbell. 33 per cent of respondents say they now have a better view of the Green Party’s Carr.
The poll was conducted after the May 3 televised debate featuring Campbell, James and Carr, which focused on six issues: Economy, health care, education, public safety, environment and leadership.
James criticized Campbell for “broken promises, cuts that have hurt seniors and youth and the elderly,” adding, “This election is about trust.” The incumbent premier requested the electorate to choose “a government, not an opposition.” Carr asked voters to “make history” by electing the first Green representatives in Canada.
Polling Data
What party would you support in the provincial election?
May 2005 | Apr. 2005 | Mar. 2005 | |
BC Liberal Party | 47% | 46% | 46% |
New Democratic Party | 39% | 39% | 39% |
Green Party | 11% | 13% | 12% |
Has the leader and his/her party done a good job or poor job in addressing the issues that matter most to you?
Campbell | James | Carr | |
Good job | 43% | 59% | 55% |
Poor job | 52% | 35% | 31% |
Don’t know | 4% | 7% | 13% |
Since the start of this election campaign, has your impression of the leaders and their parties improved, worsened or stayed the same?
Campbell | James | Carr | |
Improved | 10% | 38% | 33% |
Stated the same | 61% | 46% | 55% |
Worsened | 28% | 12% | 5% |
Don’t know | 1% | 4% | 7% |
Source: Ipsos-Reid / Vancouver Sun / Victoria Times Colonist / BCTV News
Methodology: Telephone interviews to 1,050 adult British Columbians, conducted from May 8 to May 10, 2005. Margin of error is 3.5 per cent.
