David Eby’s approval rating ranks among lowest of Canadian premiers
Public support for B.C. Premier David Eby has hit a new low, making him one of the most unpopular provincial leaders in the country, according to a new poll.
That’s according to data from the Angus-Reid Institute, published on Sept. 9, which found that Eby’s approval rating has dropped to 41 per cent — down five points from June and 12 from March.
The institute conducted an online survey from Aug. 28 to Sept. 5, 2025, among a randomized sample of 4,045 Canadian adults who are members of its forum.
Angus Reid Institute
Angus Reid noted that this is the lowest rating Eby has received since being in office, and he has the second-lowest approval rate amongst Canada’s other premiers, tied with Ontario’s Doug Ford.
The institute also provided further context about why support for Eby could be on the decline, and much of it has to do with B.C.’s economy.
Earlier this year, it was forecasted that B.C.’s budget would hit a $10.9-billion deficit for the 2025/2026 fiscal year. Two of the world’s largest credit rating agencies also downgraded the provincial government’s credit rating for a second year in a row.
In September, the latest Labour Force Survey from Statistics Canada showed that B.C. suffered one of the largest employment declines in Canada in August.
According to StatCan, employment in the province decreased by 16,000 jobs, or 0.5 per cent. It is the second consecutive month of job losses in B.C., with the unemployment rate rising to 6.2 per cent.
Eby’s recent comments about the Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) Program have caused division and debate, after he demanded an end to or an overhaul of the program.
“Here in British Columbia, we see an unacceptably high level of unemployment among young people, which has been linked both to the international student visa program as well as the Temporary Foreign Worker Program,” Eby said on Sept. 4.
Angus Reid Institute
On top of that, the province is grappling with the ongoing B.C. General Employees’ Union (BCGEU) strike.
The lowest premier approval rating went to Quebec’s François Legault (22 per cent). Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew had the highest approval with 61 per cent, but his popularity has also seen a steep 12-point drop since June.
What are your thoughts on Eby’s performance as B.C. premier? Let us know in the comments.
With files from Amir Ali, Kenneth Chan, and Daniel Chai