BC Greens leader has higher approval rating than Christy Clark: Poll

Apr 11 2017, 9:43 pm

It’s been a good two months for Andrew Weaver.

The leader of the Green Party saw his approval rating rise six points to, for a total score of 35%.

This gives Weaver a “momentum score” of +4 (12% say their opinion of the BC Green leader has improved over the past three months, while 8% say it has worsened).

This is the just one of the latest figures from a new Insights West poll, which looked at the current approval rating of each leader heading into the provincial election on May 9.

BC NDP leader John Horgan saw his approval rating drop two points, down to 37%, while BC Premier and Liberal party leader Christy Clark’s approval rating is the lowest at 30%.

Image: Insights West

Different leaders, different strengths

While most British Columbians “cannot currently select their ideal premier, they definitely have opinions about the abilities of leaders to deal with specific issues,” Mario Canseco, Vice President of public affairs at Insights West, said in a statement.

“Premier Clark is still regarded as a superior economic manager, while opposition leader Horgan is connecting on themes like housing, education, and care.”

Weaver, meanwhile is in the lead on the environment, with 45% of respondents regarding him as the best leader to tackle the issue.

The poll found that the most important issue facing the province continues to be housing, poverty, and homelessness, followed by health care, the economy, and jobs.

Almost two-thirds of BC voters believe it’s time for a change of government in the province; this includes 33% of those who voted for the BC Liberals in 2013.

More than a third of British Columbians (37%) say they would be “very upset” if the BC NDP forms the government – including 48% of those aged 55 and over. Conversely, 53% of residents responded they would be “very upset” if the BC Liberals remain in power– including 57% of those aged 18 to 34.

The results of the survey are based on an online study conducted by Insights West from April 5 to April 8, 2017, among 801 British Columbian adults, including 625 decided voters in the 2017 provincial election.

DH Vancouver StaffDH Vancouver Staff

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