Tag: British Columbia

Emergency Preparedness Slowly Getting Better in British Columbia

Emergency Preparedness Slowly Getting Better in British Columbia

By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-four of the province’s residents are concerned about being personally affected by a fire or an earthquake.

Vancouver, BC [October 6, 2023] – Compared to 2021, the proportion of British Columbians who have taken action in order to face an emergency has increased slightly, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 41% of British Columbians have bought or prepared an emergency kit with supplies they might need in case of a natural disaster, a serious accident, or an incident caused by human error, up two points since a similar Research Co. survey conducted in August 2021.

Just over three-in-ten British Columbians (31%, +3) have put together an emergency plan that includes how to get in touch with family or friends in case of an emergency, and just under one-in-four (24%, +2) have established a meeting place with family or friends in case of an emergency.

“Only 36% of British Columbians aged 18-to-34 and aged 35-to-54 admit to lacking an emergency kit, an emergency plan and a meeting place,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Among their counterparts aged 55 and over, the proportion rises to 48%.”

The two emergencies that British Columbians are concerned the most about are a fire (81%, +1) and an earthquake (76%, +4).

At least three-in-five British Columbians are “very concerned” or “moderately concerned” about high winds (66%, +8), intense rainfall (65%, +12), a flood (63%, +12) or heavy snowfall (60%, +13) personally affecting them. The rating is lower for a toxic spill (56%, +9), a tsunami (51%, +9), a landslide (50%, +11) and a terrorist attack (46%, =).

There are some striking regional differences on some of these concerns. Just under three-in-five residents of Vancouver Island (58%) are worried about facing a tsunami, while three-in-four residents of the Fraser Valley (75%) are worried about being personally affected by floods.

Just over half of British Columbians (55%) “definitely” or “probably” have confidence in the ability of their neighbours to successfully deal with an emergency. The rating is similar for the provincial government (57%, -9) and their municipal government (56%, -7), but decidedly lower for the federal government (49%, -10).

Just over three-in-four British Columbians (75%, +1) believe it is likely that an earthquake strong enough to damage buildings will occur in British Columbia in the next 50 years.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from September 17 to September 19, 2023, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

British Columbians Reject Return of Grizzly Bear Trophy Hunt

British Columbians Reject Return of Grizzly Bear Trophy Hunt

By Mario Canseco

Most are opposed to hunting grizzly bears for sport / trophy and want to pass a law to ensure the existing ban remains in place.

Vancouver, BC [October 4, 2023] – Across the province, 84% of British Columbians disapprove of the sport / trophy hunting of grizzly bears, a new Research Co. poll conducted in partnership with Pacific Wild Alliance has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 70% of British Columbians disagree with the Government of British Columbia reinstating the grizzly bear sport / trophy hunt, that was banned by the provincial government in 2017.

Opposition to the return of the grizzly bear trophy hunt is highest on Vancouver Island (79%), followed by Southern BC (75%), the Fraser Valley (74%), Northern BC (70%) and Metro Vancouver (66%).

More than three-in-four British Columbians (77%) think it is time for the provincial government to pass a law ensuring that the ban on the trophy/sport hunting of grizzly bears implemented in December 2017, remains in place.

“The notion of enshrining the ban on grizzly bear trophy hunting in legislation is popular across the political spectrum,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “At least two thirds of British Columbians who voted for the BC Liberals (66%), the BC Greens (68%) and the BC NDP in 2020 (73%), support this idea.”

More than three-in-four British Columbians (76%) agree that decisions about the stewardship of grizzly bears should remain in the hands of the provincial government, with grizzly bears held in trust for all British Columbians.

“Grizzly bears, like countless other transboundary species, need a coordinated conservation strategy at the provincial and national level working with Indigenous governments,” says Karen McAllister, the executive director of Pacific Wild, “The B.C. government appears to be going in the opposite direction, preferring to offload its wildlife management responsibilities to regional and local committees.”

More than four-in-five British Columbians think it is inappropriate for humans to hunt four different species for sport / trophy in the province: grizzly bears (84%), wild cats (also 84%), black bears (83%) and wolves (81%).

Just under three-in-four British Columbians (74%) disagree with the notion that natural predators (such as bears, cougars and wolves), should be killed to decrease competition with hunters for moose, deer and elk.

The B.C. government is currently seeking feedback on its draft Grizzly Bear Stewardship Framework with a deadline of October 6th. Pacific Wild Alliance is encouraging people to let the government know—either by filling out the survey or contacting government directly—that the ban on grizzly hunting should be continued and legislated.

For more information on the Grizzly Bear Stewardship Framework visit www.pacificwild.org.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from September 23 to September 25, 2023, among 1,000 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490

[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Karen McAllister, Executive Director, Pacific Wild.

250-957-7400

[e] karen@pacificwild.org

Photo Credit: Ian McAllister  

BC NDP First, Tight Race for Second Place in British Columbia

BC NDP First, Tight Race for Second Place in British Columbia

By Mario Canseco

Housing, homelessness and poverty is the most important issue for practically two-in-five of the province’s residents.

Vancouver, BC [September 26, 2023] – The governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) remains ahead of all challengers in British Columbia’s political scene, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 48% of decided voters would cast a ballot for the BC NDP candidate in their riding if an election took place today, up two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in May.

Two political parties are virtually tied for second place in the province: BC United with 20% (-13) and the Conservative Party of BC with 19% (+15). The BC Green Party is fourth with 12% (-4), while 1% of decided voters (=) would support other parties or independent candidates.

The BC NDP is in first place across all five major regions of the province, with higher support in Metro Vancouver (51%) and Vancouver Island (48%). The BC Conservatives are now second in the Fraser Valley (26%) and Northern BC (23%), while BC United is behind the BC NDP in Southern BC (29%).

“Almost one-in-five British Columbians (18%) do not know who to vote for in a provincial election,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “In our February and May surveys, only 10% of respondents were undecided.”

Respondents to this survey were asked if they would consider supporting each of the four main provincial parties if they ran a candidate in their riding in the next provincial election. The BC Conservatives featured candidates in 10 of 87 constituencies in the 2017 provincial election, and in 19 of 87 ridings in the 2020 ballot.

More than a third of British Columbians (37%, +12) say they would consider casting a ballot for the BC Conservatives. The rating on this question is lower for the BC Greens (35%, -2) and BC United (32%, -14), but higher for the BC NDP (51%, -10).

Just over half of British Columbians (52%, -7) approve of the way Premier and BC NDP leader David Eby is handling his duties. More than a third (36%, -4) feel the same way about BC Greens leader Sonia Furstenau, while the proportions are lower for BC United leader Kevin Falcon (29%, -9) and BC Conservative leader John Rustad (25%, +7).

Just under two-in-five British Columbians (39%, +7) think housing, homelessness and poverty is the most important issue facing the province right now, followed by health care (22%, -16), the economy and jobs (12%, =), crime and public safety (6%, -8) and the environment (also 6%, +2).

About a third of British Columbians (32%) would like to see BC United and the Conservative Party of BC merging into a single party before the next provincial election, while 43% disagree and 25% are undecided.

The notion of a merger between BC United and the BC Conservatives is more popular among men (38%), residents of Northern BC (also 38%), British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (42%) and BC Liberal voters in the 2020 provincial election (54%).

When pondering the leaders of BC United and the Conservative Party of BC, more than one-in-five British Columbians believe Falcon is better suited than Rustad to form the government after the next election (21%) and serve as official opposition leader (22%).

Falcon is currently regarded as better suited to attract six types of voters to BC United: women (20%), voters aged 18-to-34 (19%), voters aged 35-to-54 (22%) and residents of Metro Vancouver (24%), the Fraser Valley (20%) and Southern BC (also 20%).

Rustad is seen as better suited to attract male voters (20%), voters aged 55 and over (24%) and residents in Northern BC (20%) to the BC Conservatives.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from September 17 to September 19, 2023, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

British Columbians See “Fake News” and Polarization as Threats

British Columbians See “Fake News” and Polarization as Threats

By Mario Canseco

About two thirds of residents also think the state of democracy in Canada is endangered by low voter turnout in elections.

Vancouver, BC [September 20, 2023] – Three-in-four residents of British Columbia are concerned about the effect of two issues in Canada, a new Research Co. poll conducted in partnership with the “Strengthening Democracy” initiative has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 76% of British Columbians think “fake news” featured on social media and online publications is “definitely” or “probably” a threat to the state of democracy in Canada, while 75% feel the same way about polarization, or political attitudes becoming more extreme.

More than two thirds of British Columbians also deem three other issues as threats to democracy in Canada: racism and discrimination (70%), low engagement from citizens on important issues (68%) and low voter turnout in democratic processes (67%).

Majorities of British Columbians are also preoccupied with the actions of government being perceived as limiting personal freedom (60%) and hyper partisanship, or political parties disagreeing intensely with each other (59%). Only 32% of the province’s residents believe immigration endangers the state of democracy in Canada.

More than three-in-five British Columbians (63%) rate the state of democracy in Canada as “very good” or “good”, while 29% consider it “bad” or “very bad.”

“More than a third of British Columbians aged 35-to-54 (35%) are not pleased with the state of democracy in Canada right now,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportions are lower among their counterparts aged 18-to-34 (27%) and aged 55 and over (26%).”

The survey also gauged support for five ideas related to municipal politics in British Columbia.

Majorities of the province’s residents agree with three proposals: allowing permanent residents who have lived in a municipality for at least six months to vote in municipal elections (62%), compelling media outlets to provide a specific number of minutes (in the case of radio and television) or articles (in the case of print and online journalism) solely devoted to municipal issues (59%) and having elected councillors who represent a specific portion of the municipality (also known as wards), instead of voting for several at-large councillors (56%).

Two other ideas are more contentious, with 50% of British Columbians agreeing with abolishing political parties or “slates” and having every candidate for mayor, council or school board run as independents, and 47% agreeing with making voting mandatory for all citizens in municipal elections.

Majorities of British Columbians think their municipal governments (53%) and the provincial government (also 53%) are very responsive” or “moderately responsive” to their needs and the needs of other residents. The rating is significantly lower (40%) for the federal government.

Over the past year, only 31% of British Columbians have engaged directly with their municipality on a specific issue, such as reporting a problem, seeking a permit or obtaining a business license. More than half of these residents (54%) are satisfied with the way their issue was dealt with by their municipality, while 43% are dissatisfied.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from September 4 to September 6, 2023, among 813 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Financial Stress Rising Markedly for Parents in British Columbia

Financial Stress Rising Markedly for Parents in British Columbia

By Mario Canseco

More than two thirds of parents also experience work-related and family-related stress “frequently” or “occasionally”.

Vancouver, BC [September 13, 2023] – Just over two thirds of parents of children aged 0 to 18 in British Columbia are experiencing stress on account of the cost of items such as groceries or gas, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample of parents, 67% acknowledge undergoing financial stress “frequently” or “occasionally”, up 19 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February 2022.

Compared to last year, there are also significant increases in the proportion of parents across British Columbia who “frequently” or “occasionally” experience family-related stress (66%, +19) and work-related stress (65%, +21).

Conversely, the number of parents across British Columbia who “frequently” or “occasionally” undergo housing-related stress—such as finding a place to live or paying for a mortgage or rent—has dropped by 11 points to 47%

“The current state of affairs, particularly on economic matters, is taking a toll on mothers in British Columbia,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “More than two-in-five (42%) say they frequently experience financial stress.”

More than half of parents in British Columbia (57%, +17) say it is currently “moderately difficult” or “very difficult” to make ends meet for them and their families.

Two thirds of parents in Northern BC (66%) acknowledge setbacks in making ends meet. The numbers are slightly lower in the Fraser Valley (62%), Southern BC (58%), Metro Vancouver (55%) and Vancouver Island (52%).

More than two-in-five parents in British Columbia (43%, +9) say it is currently difficult to cover the cost of transportation, while a majority (56%, +14) feel the same way about paying for day to day expenses.

Saving money in a bank account is regarded as a difficult task by 80% of parents, up 21 points since February 2022.

Just over half of parents in British Columbia (52%, +3) believe it is “very likely” or “moderately likely” that their child (or any one of their children) will have to move away from the municipality where they currently live due to the high cost of living.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from September 4 to September 6, 2023, among 619 adult parents of children aged 0 to 18 in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error— which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.7 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Enthusiasm Still High in British Columbia for Home MLB Team

Enthusiasm Still High in British Columbia for Home MLB Team

By Mario Canseco

More than half of BC residents aged 18-to-34 would purchase merchandise or apparel featuring the team’s logo.

Vancouver, BC [August 30, 2023] – Three-in-five British Columbians remain open to establishing a Major League Baseball (MLB) team in Vancouver, a new Research Co. poll has found.

For the past three years, MLB has contemplated an expansion and there have been discussions about relocating the existing Oakland Athletics franchise to a different city in North America.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 60% of British Columbians believe it is a “very good” or “good” idea for Vancouver to host an MLB team, down one point since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2021.

Positive views on the idea of an MLB team playing in Vancouver are highest in the Fraser Valley (67%), followed by Metro Vancouver (60%), Southern BC (57%), Vancouver Island (also 57%) and Northern BC (53%).

Just over two-in-five British Columbians (41%, +3) already have a favourite team in MLB, with most selecting the Toronto Blue Jays (32%, +4). The Seattle Mariners are second in popularity (6%, -1) followed by various other MLB franchises (3%, +1).

Among all of the British Columbians who currently have a favourite MLB team, more than three-in-five (62%, -7) say they would stop rooting for it to support the Vancouver squad.

Compared to 2021, there is no fluctuation on the proportions of British Columbians who are likely to watch the Vancouver MLB team’s games at home (51%) or at a bar or pub (37%) if a franchise is established.

“If Vancouver eventually hosts an MLB team, there would be no major fights over the remote control in British Columbia,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion of men and women who are likely to watch the games at home is similar (53% and 49% respectively).”

Just under two-in-five British Columbians (39%, -1) are likely to purchase apparel or merchandise with the logo of Vancouver’s MLB team, including 51% of those aged 18-to-34.

There are drops in the number of Metro Vancouverites who are likely to attend at least one home game a year (47%, -5) or buy season tickets (19%, -3) if an MLB club is established in Vancouver.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from July 29 to August 1, 2023, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Positive Momentum for Lions and Whitecaps in British Columbia

Positive Momentum for Lions and Whitecaps in British Columbia

By Mario Canseco

Interest in the two professional sports franchises has increased since 2021 across the province.

Vancouver, BC [August 23, 2023] – More residents of British Columbia are paying attention to two of the province’s football and soccer teams, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 12% of British Columbians say they are now more interested in the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the Vancouver Whitecaps of Major League Soccer (MLS), up four points for each franchise since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2021.

Increased interest in the Vancouver Canucks of the National Hockey League (NHL) stands at 14% (-1) in British Columbia. The proportion is lower for the Vancouver Canadians of Northwest League baseball (6%, +2) and the Vancouver Giants of the Western Hockey League (WHL) (4%, -1).

Interest in the Lions has risen by double digits across all age groups: 15% among British Columbians aged 18-to-34, 13% among those aged 55 and over and 10% among those aged 35 to 54.

The Whitecaps score higher among British Columbians aged 18-to-34 (17%) but drop to 11% among those aged 35-to-54 and to 9% among those aged 55 and over.

More than half of British Columbians (55%, -8) select the Canucks when asked which sports team more accurately represents the province. The Lions are second with 16% (+6), followed by the Whitecaps (7%, +3), the Giants (2%, =) and the Canadians (1%, =).

Just over a third of British Columbians (34%, -3) own apparel or merchandise from the Canucks. Only two other teams are in double digits: the Lions (14%, +1) and the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB) (13%, +2).

Fewer British Columbians possess apparel or merchandise from the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL) (8%, -1), the Whitecaps (also 8%, +1), the Canadians (4%, -1), the Seattle Mariners of MLB (also 4%, -1) or the Giants (3%, -2).

“Almost one-in-four residents of the Fraser Valley (23%) own apparel or merchandise from the Lions,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “More than one-in-five residents of Northern BC (21%) possess something that features the Blue Jays logo.”

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from July 29 to August 1, 2023, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Most British Columbians See Province as Unique Within Canada

Most British Columbians See Province as Unique Within Canada

By Mario Canseco

Four-in-five residents are proud of where they live, but only one-in-five believe BC would be better off as its own country.

Vancouver, BC [August 9, 2023] – British Columbians continue to see themselves as fundamentally different from residents of other Canadian provinces, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 80% of British Columbians say they are very proud of the province that they live in, down two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in August 2022.

A majority of British Columbians (57%, -2) believe their views are different from the rest of Canada, but only one-in-five (20%, +1) think the province would be better off as its own country.

Almost three-in-five British Columbians (58%, -4) think the province’s residents have more in common with the people of Seattle and Portland than with those in Toronto or Montreal.

“There is no generation gap in the affinity of British Columbians towards Cascadia,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities of residents aged 18-to-34 (57%), aged 35-to-54 (58%) and aged 55 and over (59%) feel the same way about their counterparts in Washington State and Oregon.”

More than seven-in-ten British Columbians (73%, +1) think they will stay in the province for the rest of their lives. The proportion is lower among those aged 18-to-34 (59%).

Compared to 2022, there is little fluctuation in a question related to nationality. More than three-in-five respondents (62%, -1) say they are “Canadians first, and British Columbians second”, while 21% (-1) consider themselves “British Columbians first, and Canadians second.”

When asked about the best premier the province has had since 1986, three-in-ten British Columbians (30%, =) select John Horgan. Gordon Campbell is second with 8% (+1), followed by Christy Clark (7%, =) and Mike Harcourt (6%, =).

Christy Clark is the worst recent head of government for British Columbians (19%, =), followed by Campbell (13%, +3), Glen Clark (8%, =) and Bill Vander Zalm (7%, -1).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from July 29 to August 1, 2023, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Home Office Still Desirable for Young Workers in British Columbia

Home Office Still Desirable for Young Workers in British Columbia

By Mario Canseco

One-in-five British Columbians who worked from home during the pandemic have left a job over work-from-home guidelines. 

Vancouver, BC [July 19, 2023] – The COVID-19 pandemic has had a lasting impact on the way British Columbians perceive work, with a significant proportion of young adults interested in avoiding the office, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 19% of British Columbians who worked from home at some point during the COVID-19 pandemic say they left a position because their company did not allow them to work from home as often as they wanted.

“Few British Columbians aged 35-to-54 and aged 55 and over have quit after a disagreement over work-from-home regulations (9% and 2% respectively),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “In stark contrast, 39% of pandemic home workers aged 18-to-34 have switched jobs at least once since 2020 to be able to work from home more often.”

Across the province, 49% of employed adults say they had to work from home at least temporarily during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Fewer than one-in-five of British Columbia’s pandemic home workers (17%) are no longer working from home at all. This leaves 32% who are able to labour from home once or twice a week, 19% who do so three or four days a week, and 32% who do so five days a week.

The proportion of British Columbia’s pandemic home workers who are no longer commuting to an office reaches 36% in Metro Vancouver, 29% in the Fraser Valley and 27% in Vancouver Island.

More than three-in-five of British Columbia’s pandemic home workers (63%, unchanged since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in September 2022) are happy with their current arrangements. Just under one-in-four (23%, -4) say they are working from home less often than they would like to, and 14% (+4) say they are working from home more often than they would like to.

More than half of British Columbia’s pandemic home workers (55%, +2) say they are “very likely” or “moderately likely” to seek a different job if their current company does not allow them to work from home as often as they want.

Sizeable proportions of British Columbia’s pandemic home workers would also consider new positions in their own metropolitan area (64%, -2), their own province (58%, -1) or a different province (46%, +1) to work from home more often.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from July 3 to July 8, 2023, among 1,000 adults who work in British Columbia, including 492 who worked from home during the COVID-19 pandemic. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points for all workers and +/- 4.4 percentage points for home workers, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490

[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Distracted Driving on the Rise Across British Columbia

Distracted Driving on the Rise Across British Columbia

By Mario Canseco

Public support for three proposed penalties for offenders is up markedly since 2022.

Vancouver, BC [June 23, 2023] – More than three-in-five British Columbians noticed a distracted driver on the road over the past four weeks, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 62% of British Columbians say they witnessed a driver talking on a hand-held cell phone or texting while driving over the past four weeks, up 16 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in April 2022.

On a regional basis, residents of the Fraser Valley are more likely to report seeing a distracted driver recently (82%) than their counterparts in Northern BC (66%), Vancouver Island (63%), Southern BC (59%) and Metro Vancouver (57%).

Drivers caught emailing, texting, or using an electronic device while driving in British Columbia face a fine of $368 and four penalty points (currently equivalent to $214) in their insurance penalty point premium. This means a total of $582 for a first-time infraction.

More than half of British Columbians (54%, -2) believe the current fine for distracted driving in the province is “about right”, while 29% (+5) consider it “too low” and 12% (-3) deem it “too high.”

Since 2022, support for three possible penalties for drivers caught emailing, texting, or using an electronic device in British Columbia has risen across the province.

Just over two thirds of British Columbians (67%, +3) are in favour of seizing the electronic devices of repeat offenders—a proportion that rises to 79% among those aged 55 and over.

More than three-in-five British Columbians (62%, +7) support doubling the current fine for distracted driving to $1,240.

“Most British Columbians who voted for each of the three major parties in the 2020 provincial election believe it is time to implement steeper fines for distracted drivers,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Three-in-five residents who cast ballots for the BC Liberals or the BC Green Party (60% each), along with 68% of those who voted for the BC New Democratic Party (NDP), agree on this issue.”

More than half of British Columbians (56%, +4) are in favour of suspending distracted drivers for a year. Support for this course of action rises to 59% in Metro Vancouver.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from June 10 to June 12, 2023, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error, which measures sample variability, is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490

[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Majorities in British Columbia and Alberta Agree on TMX Pipeline

Majorities in British Columbia and Alberta Agree on TMX Pipeline

By Mario Canseco

The proportion of British Columbians who think the provincial government should stop the project has dropped to 28%.

Vancouver, BC [June 21, 2023] – More than half of British Columbians and two thirds of Albertans believe the federal government was right in re-approving the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of representative provincial samples, 54% of British Columbians agree with the decision, up three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in July 2022. Two thirds of Albertans (67%, -2) also agree with the re-approval of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion.

In British Columbia, support for the project is highest in Northern BC (62%), followed by Southern BC (61%), the Fraser Valley (58%), Metro Vancouver (53%) and Vancouver Island (52%).

In Alberta, there is virtually no variation in the perceptions of residents of the Calgary CMA (67%), Edmonton CMA (also 67%) and the rest of the province (68%).

Significant majorities of Albertans (79%, +1) and British Columbians (71%, =) believe the Trans Mountain pipeline will create hundreds of jobs for residents of their province.

The public is decidedly more skeptical about the effect the Trans Mountain pipeline will have on fuel costs. Fewer than two-in-five Albertans (37%, -3) and British Columbians (36%, -1) expect to experience lower gas prices as a result of the project’s re-approval.

“Albertans are particularly critical of the federal government on the Trans Mountain file, with 60% (-1) saying they are disappointed with Ottawa’s performance,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Fewer than half of British Columbians (48%, -3) share this feeling.”

Only 20% of Albertans (-5) and 28% of British Columbians (-5) think their provincial government should do anything necessary to ensure that the Trans Mountain expansion does not happen. This is a significant change in British Columbia from a Research Co. survey conducted in June 2019, when 41% of the province’s residents called for government action to stop the project.

One-in-four Albertans (25%, -3) and more than a third of British Columbians (36%, -4) believe the Trans Mountain expansion threatens the health and safety of residents.

British Columbians remain divided on whether this would be a good time to reconsider the Enbridge Northern Gateway—a proposal to build a new pipeline from Alberta to British Columbia’s north coast, to export oil on tankers to Asian markets—which was rejected by the federal government in November 2016.

Fewer than half of British Columbians (44%, -2) would agree to take a second look at the proposal, while three-in-ten (30%, +4) disagree.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from June 10 to June 12, 2023, among 800 adults in British Columbia and 800 adults in Alberta. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in each province. The margin of error – which measures sample variability – is +/- 3.5 percentage points for each province, 19 times out of 20.

Find our data tables for British Columbia here, our data tables for Alberta here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

British Columbians Displeased with Politicians on Opioid Crisis

British Columbians Displeased with Politicians on Opioid Crisis

By Mario Canseco

One-in-five of the province’s residents (20%) personally know someone who died after using opioid drugs.

Vancouver, BC [June 2, 2023] – Many British Columbians remain concerned about the use of prescription and non-prescription opioid drugs in their community, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 61% of British Columbians describe the situation as a “major problem”, down three points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in October 2018.

More than half of British Columbians (56%, +14) think Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Canadian Federal Government have done a “bad” or “very bad” job coming up with solutions to deal with the use of prescription and non-prescription opioid drugs.

Pluralities of British Columbians are also dissatisfied with how their Member of Parliament (48%, +17), Premier David Eby and the provincial government (45%), their mayors and councils (44%, +9), and their member of the Legislative Assembly (43%, +13) have handled this issue.

More than two thirds of British Columbians support three ideas to address the use of prescription and non-prescription opioid drugs in their community: creating more spaces for drug rehabilitation (81%, -9), launching more education and awareness campaigns about drug use (76%, -14) and reducing the prescription of opioids by medical professionals (69%, -9).

Most British Columbians are also in agreement on establishing safe supply programs where alternatives to opioids, can be prescribed by health professionals (63%) and setting up more harm reduction strategies, such as legal supervised injection sites (58%, -8). Fewer of the province’s residents are in favour of decriminalizing all drugs for personal use (40%, -5).

“More than half of British Columbians who voted for the BC Liberals in 2020 (55%) agree with safe supply programs,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The level of support is higher among those who cast ballots for the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) (68%) or the BC Green Party (73%) in the last provincial election.”

More than a third of British Columbians (36%) say they know someone in their community who has used prescription or non-prescription opioid drugs in the last year—including a friend or member of their extended family (17%), someone they know from work, school, neighbourhood or place of worship (13%) or a  family or household member (12%).

One-in-five British Columbians (20%) personally know someone who died after using prescription and non-prescription opioid drugs in their community—a proportion that rises to 27% in the Fraser Valley and to 25% in both Northern BC and Southern BC.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from May 17 to May 19, 2023, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is plus or minus 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Photo Credit: Andrew Raun

Almost Three-in-Five British Columbians Say Crime is Rising

Almost Three-in-Five British Columbians Say Crime is Rising

By Mario Canseco

The proportion of residents who have been the victims of a crime that merited a call to the police has been stable since 2018.

Vancouver, BC [May 24, 2023] – The proportion of British Columbians who hold negative perceptions about public safety has risen markedly, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 59% of British Columbians say the level of criminal activity in their community has increased in the past four years, up eight points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in July 2022.

Just under one-in-five British Columbians (18%, =) say they have been victims of a crime involving the police (such as an assault or a car break-in) in their community.

“The perceptions of British Columbians on criminal activity have worsened every year since we started asking these questions in 2018,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “During the same period, there has been little movement when residents of the province are asked if they were victims of a crime that merited a police report.”

When asked about which factors are to blame “a great deal” for the current situation regarding crime and public safety in their community, a majority of British Columbians mention addiction and mental health issues (59%, +8).

Other factors that British Columbians blame “a great deal” are gangs and the illegal drug trade (41%, +4), an inadequate court system (39%, +7), poverty and inequality (34%, +2), lack of values and improper education for youth (28%, +1), a bad economy and unemployment (22%, -2), insufficient policing and a lack of resources to combat crime (also 22%, =) and immigrants and minorities (11%, +3).

More than half of British Columbians (52%, +4) say they fear becoming victims of crime in their community “a great deal” or “a fair amount”—a proportion that rises to 72% among those aged 18-to-34.

More than a third of British Columbians (36%, +2) say they would feel “moderately unsafe” or “very unsafe” walking alone in their own neighbourhood after dark, including 47% in the Fraser Valley and 45% in Northern BC.

Support for establishing a provincewide police force in British Columbia is up significantly, going from 39% in June 2022 to 51% in May 2023.

More than half of residents of Northern BC (54%) and Metro Vancouver (also 54%) favour the creation of a provincewide police force. Support is lower in the Fraser Valley (49%), Vancouver Island (45%) and Southern BC (43%).

At least four-in-five British Columbians voice support for banning military-style assault weapons (82%, =) and handguns (80%, +5) in their municipality.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from May 14 to May 16, 2023, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is plus or minus 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

BC NDP Extends Advantage in British Columbia’s Political Scene

BC NDP Extends Advantage in British Columbia’s Political Scene

By Mario Canseco

Crime and public safety rise markedly as issues of concern for residents, going from 5% in February to 14% in May.

Vancouver, BC [May 9, 2023] – Public backing for the governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP) has increased over the past three months in British Columbia, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 46% of decided voters would support the BC NDP candidate in their constituency if an election took place today, up two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in February.

BC United is in second place with 33% (-3 since the previous survey as BC Liberals), followed by the BC Green Party with 16% (=) and the Conservative Party of BC with 4% (+2).

“Female decided voters in British Columbia pick the BC New Democrats over BC United by a two-to-one margin (50% to 24%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The two parties are practically tied among male decided voters (42% for the BC NDP and 41% for BC United).”

Respondents to this survey were asked if they would consider voting for each of the four main parties if they ran a candidate in their constituency in the next provincial election. The BC Conservatives featured candidates in 10 of 87 constituencies in the 2017 provincial election, and in 19 of 87 ridings in the 2020 ballot.

More than three-in-five British Columbians (61%) say they would “definitely” or “probably” consider casting a ballot for the BC NDP candidate in their riding. The rating is lower for BC United (46%), the BC Greens (37%) and the BC Conservatives (25%).

Premier and BC NDP leader David Eby maintains an approval rating of 59% across the province. The numbers are lower for BC Greens leader Sonia Furstenau (40%, -2), BC United leader Kevin Falcon (38%, -6) and BC Conservative leader John Rustad (18%).

Just under a third of British Columbians (32%, -2) select housing, homelessness and poverty as the most important issue facing the province, followed by health care (28%, -1), crime and public safety (14%, +9), the economy and jobs (12%, -1) and the environment (4%, -2).

Housing, homelessness and poverty is the prevalent concern for residents of the Fraser Valley (41%), Southern BC (35%) and Metro Vancouver (33%). Health care is the main worry for residents of Vancouver Island (32%), while the economy and jobs dominates in Northern BC (28%).

Public safety is a greater concern for residents of Metro Vancouver (16%), Vancouver Island (15%) and Southern BC (12%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from May 1 to May 3, 2023, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is plus or minus 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

British Columbians Back Housing Action to Alleviate Homelessness

British Columbians Back Housing Action to Alleviate Homelessness

By Mario Canseco

More than half of the province’s residents are dissatisfied with how all three levels of government have managed this issue.

Vancouver, BC [May 3, 2023] – Sizeable proportions of British Columbians believe specific housing measures would reduce homelessness across the province, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, more than four-in-five British Columbians (82%) agree with Increasing temporary housing options for people experiencing homelessness, up two points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in August 2022.

More than three-in-four British Columbians (77%, -1) favour offering incentives to developers if they focus on building affordable housing units, and two thirds (67%, =) agree with devoting tax money to build units to house homeless residents.

More than three-in-five British Columbians (62%, +2) favour changing zoning laws to allow property owners to build more units on standard lots.

Most British Columbians believe three levels of government have done a “bad” or “very bad” job coming up with solutions to deal with homelessness: federal (64%, +3), provincial (59%, +3) and municipal (57%, +2).

Almost four-in-five British Columbians (78%, +5) believe homelessness in the province is a major problem. Fewer feel the same way about homelessness in their municipality (52%, =) or in their neighbourhood (24%, -3).

Two-in-five British Columbians (40%, -2) believe that homelessness has increased in their neighbourhood over the past three years. Almost two thirds (64%, +1) think there has been a surge in their municipality, and four-in-five (80%, +1) report a worsening situation in the province.

Residents of British Columbia remain divided when asked if the problem can be eradicated. Half (50%, +3) think this goal can be reached with the proper funding and policies, while 48% (+2) state that homelessness will always be a problem.

“Only 33% of British Columbians aged 55 and over foresee the eventual termination of homelessness in the province,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Their counterparts aged 35-to-54 (53%) and aged 18-to-34 (74%) are more hopeful.”

A majority of British Columbians (63%, +3) think addiction and mental health issues are to blame “a great deal” for the current situation regarding homelessness in British Columbia.

Fewer of the province’s residents share the same view on other possible causes, including a lack of affordable housing (47%, -6), poverty and inequality (34%, -7), personal actions and decisions (31%, +1) and bad economy and unemployment (19%, -5).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from April 23 to April 25, 2023, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is plus or minus 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Majority of British Columbians Reject Return of COVID Restrictions

Majority of British Columbians Reject Return of COVID Restrictions

By Mario Canseco

Satisfaction with how various levels of government have handled the pandemic has dropped since March 2021.

Vancouver, BC [February 22, 2023] – More than three-in-five residents of British Columbia believe it would not be advisable to return to the restrictions and mandates that were implemented in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, more than three-in-five British Columbians (62%) think we are in a different moment and there is no need for additional public health measures related to COVID-19.

Almost one-in-five British Columbians (18%) want to have stricter public health measures in place right now to stop the spread of COVID-19, while 9% think COVID-19 was a hoax and we never should have altered our lives.

The appetite for a return to stricter regulations across the province  is highest in Metro Vancouver (20%), followed by Vancouver Island (19%), Southern BC (15%), the Fraser Valley (13%) and Northern BC (11%).

Almost seven-in-ten British Columbians (69%) think COVID-19 is a real threat, down 12 points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in March 2021.

When asked if it would be justified to re-introduce specific measures, about one-in-four British Columbians (23%) would welcome the return of “Proof of Vaccination” certificates (or “Vaccine Passports”) to access specific venues and locations.

Fewer British Columbians believe three other actions would be justified: mask mandates (21%), capacity restrictions for worship services, concerts and sporting events (17%) and banning travel from British Columbia to other Canadian provinces (6%).

Support for the re-implementation of “Vaccine Passports” reaches 28% among British Columbians aged 55 and over and 30% among residents of Vancouver Island.

Almost four-in-five British Columbians (79%, -4 since March 2021) are satisfied with the way their family has handled the COVID-19 pandemic, while 71% (-2) feel the same way about their friends.

Majorities of British Columbians are satisfied with the way municipal governments (56%, -2) and the provincial government in Victoria (55%, -5) have managed the pandemic. The rating is lower for the federal government in Ottawa (49%, -4), the official opposition in Ottawa (36%, +4) and the official opposition in Victoria (35%, +3).

Almost half of British Columbians (49%, -3) are satisfied with the performance of non-governmental associations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fewer residents feel the same way about unions (39%, -4) and trade associations (36%, +2).

More than half of British Columbians (52%, -11) say they are satisfied with the way television news has handled the pandemic. The rating also fell this month for radio news (48%, -9) and newspapers (also 48%, -7).

“British Columbians who would like to see stricter guidelines to deal with the pandemic are more likely to be satisfied with the performance of news organizations on television (69%), radio (66%) and print (62%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Those who consider COVID-19 a hoax provide significantly lower marks.”

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on February 10 to February 12, 2023, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Most British Columbians Foresee an Early Election in 2023

Most British Columbians Foresee an Early Election in 2023

By Mario Canseco

More than three-in-five of the province’s residents who voted for the BC Liberals in 2020 like the name BC United.

Vancouver, BC [February 15, 2023] – A majority of British Columbians think voters will be asked to select the members of the Legislative Assembly before the end of the year, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 53% of British Columbians think it is “very likely” or “moderately likely” that the province will have an election in 2023.

“Expectations of an early provincial election in British Columbia are highest among residents who voted for the BC Liberals in 2020 (61%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Fewer BC New Democratic Party (NDP) and BC Green Party voters (52% and 48% respectively) see themselves casting ballots in 2023.”

The BC Liberals will change their name to BC United in 2023. More than a third of British Columbians (36%) say they like the new name for the political party that formed the government from 2001 to 2017—a proportion that rises to 62% among those who voted for the BC Liberals in the last provincial election, held in October 2020.

If an early election indeed takes place in 2023, more than half of British Columbians (53%) predict a win for the BC NDP, while 28% believe the BC Liberals / BC United will emerge victorious.

The survey also gauged the opinion of British Columbians on the people who have served as full time or interim leaders of the three main provincial political parties in this century.

Almost two thirds of British Columbians (64%) have a favourable opinion of John Horgan, who led the BC NDP from 2014 to 2022 and served as premier from 2017 to 2022. The rating is lower for Adrian Dix (46%), Carole James (40%), Ujjal Dosanjh (also 40%) and Joy MacPhail (31%).

Horgan’s favourability rating is 87% among BC NDP voters in the 2020 provincial election.

When British Columbians ponder the previous leaders of the BC Liberals, about two-in-five hold favourable views on the two who headed the provincial government: Gordon Campbell (41%) and Christy Clark (39%). The rating is significantly lower for Shirley Bond (27%), Andrew Wilkinson (24%) and Rich Coleman (22%).

The favourability rating for Campbell and Clark is almost identical among BC Liberal voters in 2020 (65% and 66% respectively).

Across British Columbia, Andrew Weaver (36%) has the highest favourability rating among former leaders of the BC Green Party, followed by Adriane Carr (32%), Adam Olsen (23%) and Jane Sterk (18%).

Weaver’s favourability rating reaches 57% among BC Green Party voters in the 2020 provincial election.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on February 4 to February 6, 2023, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

Governing BC NDP Stays Ahead of BC Liberals in British Columbia

Governing BC NDP Stays Ahead of BC Liberals in British Columbia

By Mario Canseco

Two-in-five residents think David Eby is a better leader than Kevin Falcon to tackle housing and health care.

Vancouver, BC [February 10, 2023] – The BC New Democratic Party (NDP) maintains a high level of support under new leader David Eby, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 44% of decided voters would cast a ballot for the BC NDP candidate in their constituency if an election were held today, unchanged since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in October 2022, when John Horgan was premier.

The BC Liberals are in second place with 36% (+1), followed by the BC Green Party with 16% (+1) and the BC Conservative Party with 2% (-2).

“Support for the BC NDP remains strong in Vancouver Island (59%), while the BC Liberals dominate in Southern BC (53%),” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The New Democrats have smaller leads over the BC Liberals in Northern BC (47% to 43%), Metro Vancouver (44% to 38%) and the Fraser Valley (39% to 26%).”

Almost three-in-five British Columbians (59%) approve of the way Eby has performed as premier and leader of the BC NDP. The rating improved this month for both BC Liberals leader Kevin Falcon (44%, +8) and BC Greens leader Sonia Furstenau (42%, +7).

More than a third of British Columbians (34%, -4) say housing, homelessness and poverty is the most important issue facing the province. Health care is a close second (29%, +1), followed by the economy and jobs (13%, +2) the environment (6%, =) and crime and public safety (5%, -3).

Respondents to this survey were asked to choose which of the two main party leaders is best suited to manage eight different issues. Eby has small leads over Falcon on three broad themes: crime and public safety (31% to 27%), energy (also 31% to 27%) and the economy and jobs (34% to 28%).

Eby’s advantage over Falcon is more decisive on five other issues: housing, poverty and homelessness (40% to 21%), health care (40% to 24%), the environment (37% to 18%), education (37% to 22%) and accountability (35% to 22%)

A separate question gauged whether the leaders of the BC NDP and the BC Liberals possess specific characteristics that can be found in politicians.

Majorities of British Columbians think Eby is a good speaker and communicator (56%) and has a vision for the future of British Columbia (54%).

At least two-in-five residents of the province think the current premier understands their problems (47%), is in touch with the problems British Columbians face in their daily lives (43%), is a strong and decisive leader (42%), inspires confidence (41%) and generally agrees with people on issues they care about (40%).

Fewer British Columbians believe Eby is honest and trustworthy (39%), shares their values (36%), is a good economic manager (35%) and is patronizing (27%).

More than a third of British Columbians think Falcon is good speaker and communicator (46%), has a vision for the future of British Columbia (42%) and is a strong and decisive leader (37%).

Fewer residents say the leader of the BC Liberals inspires confidence (33%), understands the problems of residents (32%), is a good economic manager (also 32%), is patronizing (31%), is in touch with the problems British Columbians face in their daily lives (30%), generally agrees with people on issues they care about (28%), shares their values (27%) and is honest and trustworthy (26%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted on February 4 to February 6, 2023, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

British Columbians Back LNG Expansion, Split on Nuclear Power

British Columbians Back LNG Expansion, Split on Nuclear Power

By Mario Canseco

The possibility of rising energy costs for households is a prevalent concern for half of the province’s residents.

Vancouver, BC [February 3, 2022] – A majority of British Columbians endorse the expansion of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) sector in the province, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 55% of British Columbians support the provincial government allowing for further development of the LNG industry, while 29% are opposed and 17% are undecided.

Support for the expansion of LNG development is highest in Southern BC (67%), followed by the Fraser Valley (56%), Metro Vancouver (also 56%), Northern BC (55%) and Vancouver Island (41%).

Two other ideas related to energy are more contentious. While 43% of British Columbians are in favour of allowing nuclear power (small modular reactors) for electricity generation, 40% disagree.

The notion of the provincial government banning the use of natural gas (on stoves and/or heaters) in new buildings is supported by 39% of British Columbians and opposed by 45%.

Half of British Columbians (50%) say they are “very concerned” about energy costs for households becoming too expensive.

Fewer residents are particularly worried about the effects of climate change in the world (48%), the effects of climate change in Canada (45%), energy shortages leading to measures such as rationing and rolling blackouts (31%) and energy costs for businesses becoming too expensive (28%).

The provincial government will require all car and passenger truck sales to be zero-emission by 2035. Seven-in-ten British Columbians (70%) support this goal, while 21% oppose it and 8% are not sure.

“There are some regional differences in British Columbia on the impending move to electric vehicles,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. ”Opposition to the goal is highest in Southern BC (37%), followed by Northern BC (30%), the Fraser Valley (22%), Metro Vancouver (20%) and Vancouver Island (15%).”

Among those who support the zero-emission goal established by the provincial government, 32% believe it is achievable and 38% think it is not achievable.

British Columbians are split on the current pace of the move to electric vehicles, with 26% saying the change is being implemented too quickly, 38% thinking it is happening at the right pace and 23% thinking it is taking place too slowly.

Methodology:Results are based on an online study conducted on January 9 to January 11, 2023, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca

British Columbians Optimistic About New Housing Regulations

British Columbians Optimistic About New Housing Regulations

By Mario Canseco

Almost half of the province’s residents think the actions will be effective in making housing more affordable.

Vancouver, BC [January 27, 2023] – Practically half of British Columbians think the housing measures recently announced by the provincial government will help residents, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 48% of British Columbians believe the actions will be effective in making housing more affordable, up seven points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2021.

Just over two-in-five British Columbians (41%, -2) believe the actions of the provincial government will be ineffective, while 11% (-5) are undecided.

More than seven-in-ten British Columbians agree with three policies related to housing recently outlined by the provincial government: building more modular supportive homes in areas where people are experiencing homelessness (78%), implementing a three-business-day protection period for financing and home inspections (71%) and capping rent increases in 2023 at 2% (also 71%).

Majorities of British Columbians are also in favour of two other recent measures: ending most strata age restrictions (64%) and removing strata rental restrictions (59%).

Support remains high for the policies implemented by the provincial government before 2022, such as increasing the foreign buyers tax from 15% to 20% (77%, +2), expanding the foreign buyers tax to areas located outside of Metro Vancouver (75%, =) and introducing a “speculation tax” in specific urban areas targeting foreign and domestic homeowners who pay little or no income tax in BC, and those who own second properties that aren’t long-term rentals (72%, +2).

Most British Columbians also continue to agree with the introduction of a tax of 0.2% on the value of homes between $3 million and $4 million, and a tax rate of 0.4% on the portion of a home’s value that exceeds $4 million (68%, -1) and with the decision to increase the property transfer tax from 3% to 5% for homes valued at more than $3 million. The 5% portion only applies to the value greater than $3 million (65%, -2).

Just over seven-in-ten British Columbians (71%) support the federal government’s decision to ban non-Canadians (with exclusions for international students and temporary residents) from purchasing residential properties in Canada for the next two years.

More than three-in-five British Columbians (61%) think the federal government should tie immigration numbers to affordable housing targets and new housing starts.

“There is no political divide in British Columbia on the idea that housing and immigration should go hand-in-hand,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Sizeable majorities of residents who voted for the BC Liberals (63%), the BC Green Party (62%) and the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) (59%) in the 2020 provincial election want the federal government to do its part.”

A majority of British Columbians (57%) call on the provincial government to implement a $400 renters’ rebate for households earning up to $80,000 a year. This proposed measure is particularly popular among those who currently rent (72%).

Only 30% of British Columbians would consent to the cancellation of the home owner grant, which reduces the amount of property tax people pay for their principal residence. Among respondents who own their primary residence, support for this policy stands at 23%.

Three-in-five British Columbians (60%) agree that municipal governments should immediately dismantle any encampment or “tent city” located within their municipality—a proportion that rises to 66% among those aged 55 and over.

Almost half of British Columbians (49%, -6 since a Research Co. survey conducted in December 2021) trust the provincial government under the BC NDP to deliver affordable housing in British Columbia. The rating is lower for prospective provincial administrations headed by the BC Greens (39%, +6) or the BC Liberals (33%, -3).

At the federal level, confidence on affordable housing is highest for a potential federal government headed by the NDP (40%, -11) than administrations assembled by the Liberal Party (37%, -2) or the Conservative Party (31%, -1).

Trust in municipal governments to deliver affordable housing stands at 46% in British Columbia this month (-1). Confidence remains higher for not-for-profit developers (49%, =) than for for-profit developers (21%, +2).

Methodology:Results are based on an online study conducted on January 9 to January 11, 2023, among 800 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.

Find our data tables here and download the press release here. 

For more information on this poll, please contact:

Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.

778.929.0490 [e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca