British Columbians say these issues have them frustrated with the provincial government

Premier David Eby and the B.C. NDP are taking heat from British Columbians who said the government isn’t doing enough to tackle the province’s biggest problems, according to new survey results.

A new Angus Reid Institute poll shows nearly three-quarters (74 per cent) of British Columbians think the Province is performing poorly on the cost of living, which is also mentioned as B.C.’s top issue.

At least three-in-five say the government is falling short on housing, health care, and other priorities, too.

The Angus Reid Institute conducted an online survey from Aug. 28 to Sept. 5, 2025, among a randomized sample of 4,330 Canadian adults who are members of its forum.

Eby’s approval drops

Eby’s personal approval rating has tumbled from 53 per cent earlier this year to 41 per cent now.

The slide comes as his government faces a growing strike by the B.C. General Employees Union, warnings of a record deficit, and controversy over its decision to appeal a court ruling recognizing Aboriginal title for the Cowichan Tribe.

The opposition isn’t capitalizing much either.

Just 28 per cent of British Columbians view BC Conservative leader John Rustad favourably, while more than half (56 per cent) don’t.

Half of residents say the Province is headed in the wrong direction.

Only 29 per cent feel B.C. is on the right track, a view held mostly by NDP supporters.

The mood hasn’t shifted much since last fall’s election, though.

If a vote were held today, 44 per cent say they’d back the Conservatives (up one point from last fall’s election), while 42 per cent would stick with the NDP (down three points).

Cost of living and housing dominate

More than half of British Columbians (54 per cent) list the cost of living as their top concern, followed by health care (48 per cent).

Housing and jobs also rank high, especially among younger residents.

Experts say people aren’t wrong to feel squeezed.

“Perceptions are that renting has gotten cheaper recently, but not over the long run, so if people are slow to move due to housing costs, they may rationally believe that affordability is driving them away,” Tom Davidoff, a housing economist at UBC’s Sauder School of Business, told Daily Hive.

“Homeownership has gotten more costly: prices haven’t fallen by enough to outweigh higher interest rates.”

Davidoff added that in the short term, the government has few options beyond cash support, but “over a few years of horizon, government could make building easier with subsidies, deregulation of zoning, or eliminating affordability requirements in new buildings. I think the latter two would be the most effective.”

The Business Council of British Columbia argues that investment conditions are key to affordability.

“Every policy decision should come back to one key question: is this going to make B.C. a more attractive place to build and grow businesses?” Jairo Yunis, the council’s director of policy, told Daily Hive.

He pointed to exempting PST from capital investments, fixing permitting delays, and balancing environmental rules with economic growth.

But Yunis warned that ballooning deficits could make matters worse. “Record deficits are a very real risk to B.C. Another credit downgrade would drive up debt-servicing costs and squeeze out spending on public services like healthcare and education,” he added.

Looking at the poll results, though, one thing is clear: British Columbians are feeling the pinch, and the government’s credibility on affordability is slipping right alongside their patience.

Daily Hive has reached out to the premier’s office and the B.C. Conservatives for comment.

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