A new survey suggests that British Columbians political leanings might influence how they view the state of B.C.’s finances.
Research Co. recently conducted an online survey, polling 801 adults between May 12 and May 14, to ask them about their perception of the state of both their personal finances and provincial finances.
While 62 per cent of British Columbians rated the province’s economic conditions as “bad” or “very bad,” there was a higher positive perception among people who voted for the NDP (43 per cent) and the BC Green Party (47 per cent).
Meanwhile, only 17 per cent of those who voted for the Conservative Party had positive perceptions of B.C.’s economic conditions.
The survey also asked respondents about how they would deal with the provincial government’s forecasted $13.3 billion deficit. It listed a number of options people could select, allowing them to pick only one option.
Forty-five per cent of British Columbians suggested cutting programs, 33 per cent said raising taxes, and 21 per cent weren’t sure.
“There is a significant political divide when British Columbians ponder the budget deficit,” said Mario Canseco, president of Research Co, in a release.
“Almost half of those who voted for the New Democrats in 2024 (46 per cent) would raise taxes, while more than two-thirds of those who supported the BC Conservatives (68 per cent) would cut programs.”
Meanwhile, a significant proportion of B.C. residents had a bleak outlook on the future economic conditions of the province, with 41 per cent reporting that they expect economic conditions to decline in the next six months. Thirty-eight per cent said they don’t expect it to change, and 14 per cent said they think there will be an improvement.
Over 60 per cent blamed B.C.’s economic setbacks on Donald Trump being the president of the U.S.
According to a report from Deloitte published in April of this year, this perception is correct: the province’s forestry sector is still dealing with the impact of U.S. tariffs, with B.C. forestry operations cutting production and even permanently closing mills.