Tag: Vancouver

Vancouverites Split on ABC, Like Progressive Voices in Council

Vancouverites Split on ABC, Like Progressive Voices in Council

By Mario Canseco

Practically three-in-five residents think the city needs a Mayor and Council similar to New York’s Zohran Mamdani.

Vancouver, BC [February 2, 2026] – After more than three years of a municipal government headed by Ken Sim and the A Better City (ABC) party, Vancouverites offer mixed reviews on what they have experienced so far, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative municipal sample, 27% of Vancouverites think Sim and ABC may not have gotten everything right, but would keep their leadership to make Vancouver better.

A slightly larger proportion of residents (32%) say Sim and ABC have not kept their key promises and call for a change in leadership at City Hall, but not a major change in policy.

More than one-in-four Vancouverites (27%) think Sim and ABC have shown that their policies do not work for Vancouver and want different ideas to make Vancouver better.

Only 15% of voters who supported Sim in the 2022 mayoral election believe ABC’s policies have not worked for Vancouver and call for a change—along with 44% of those who voted for Kennedy Stewart and 38% of those who voted for the minor candidates who received less than 10% of the vote in 2022.

Vancouver voters elected Sean Orr of the Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE) and Lucy Maloney of OneCity Vancouver as city councillors in a by-election that took place in April 2025.

More than two-in-five Vancouverites (44%) think we “definitely” or “probably” need more Vancouver City Council members with the kind of progressive and left-wing views that Orr and Maloney represent, while 25% disagree and 30% are not sure.

Last year, voters in New York City elected Zohran Mamdani as Mayor. Mamdani has called for major changes to benefit working class New Yorkers.

Almost three-in-five Vancouverites (59%) believe their city needs a Mayor and Council like Mamdani, willing to make major changes that will make life more affordable, even if they make Vancouver’s elite uncomfortable.

Conversely, about one-in-four Vancouverites (23%) think a socialist mayor like Mamdami is too risky for Vancouver, will undermine investment in the city, and see a return to the soft-on-crime approaches of previous councils.

“Two thirds of Vancouverites aged 18-to-34 (67%) think the city would benefit from a mayor and council like the one currently in place in New York,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities of residents aged 35-to-45 (53%) and aged 55 and over (60%) share this view.”

Across Vancouver, 47% of residents agree with the city eliminating the Board of Parks and Recreation, and placing public parks and the public recreation system under the jurisdiction of City Council, down five points since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2022.

Seven-in-ten Vancouverites (70%) think the residents of the City of Vancouver should decide in a referendum if the Board of Parks and Recreation should be eliminated.

Vancouverites were also asked to place eight municipal political parties and associations in the political spectrum.

At least two-in-five Vancouverites see four parties as centre right, centre or centre left: ABC (48%), OneCity Vancouver (44%), the Vancouver Liberals (40%) and TEAM for a Livable Vancouver (also 40%). Fewer residents feel the same way about the Coalition of Progressive Electors (COPE) (39%), Vote Vancouver (also 39%), the Green Party (38%) and the Conservative Electors Association (30%).

Just over a third of Vancouverites (34%) brand the Conservative Electors Association as right or extreme right, followed by ABC with 17%, TEAM with 13% and the Vancouver Liberals also with 13%.

Three-in-ten residents (30%) believe the Greens are left or extreme left, followed by COPE and OneCity with 20% each and the Vancouver Liberals with 15%.

Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from January 26 to January 28, 2026, among a representative sample of 401 adults in the City of Vancouver. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region Canada. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 4.9 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

Almost Half of Vancouverites Report Worsening Quality of Life

Almost Half of Vancouverites Report Worsening Quality of Life

By Mario Canseco

Just over half of the city’s residents (51%) approve of the performance of Ken Sim as Mayor.

Vancouver, BC [November 15, 2023] – While most residents of the City of Vancouver are pleased with the mayor, almost half say their quality of life has decreased over the past year, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative sample, 51% of Vancouverites approve of the way Ken Sim is handling his duties as Mayor, while 29% disapprove and 21% are undecided.

More than seven-in-ten Vancouverites who voted for Sim in the 2022 mayoral election (73%) are satisfied with his performance, along with 49% of those who cast a ballot for Kennedy Stewart of Forward Together and 34% of those who voted for any one of the 13 candidates who finished with less than 10% of all cast ballots in 2022.

Vancouverites were asked about the “State of the City” by rating the way 11 different issues have been managed over the past year.

More than half of the city’s residents perceive no change on three issues: parks and facilities (58%), public recreation and activities (57%) and public schools (54%). More than two-in-five (44%) also think the situation is “about the same” as it was last year on fiscal responsibility.

About a third of Vancouverites (32%) believe three issues are now worse than they were a year ago: jobs and economic development, the cleanliness of streets and road maintenance, and the influence of developers.

On four other issues, significant proportions of Vancouverites believe things are worse now than a year ago: public safety (44%), policies to deal with homelessness (46%), quality of life (also 46%) and housing affordability (60%).

“Only 8% of Vancouverites say their quality of life in the city is better now than a year ago,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “In contrast, 49% of those aged 35-to-54 and 59% of those who live Downtown say things are worse now.”

Almost half of residents of the City of Vancouver (48%) identify housing as the most important issue, followed by drug overdoses (12%), crime (9%) and property taxes (also 9%).

Fewer Vancouverites mention other issues, including poverty (8%), jobs (5%), climate change (4%), transit (2%) and congestion (1%).

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from November 4 to November 6, 2023, among 400 adults in the City of Vancouver. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in the City of Vancouver. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 4.9 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

Deadlock As Voters in Vancouver Prepare for Municipal Election

Deadlock As Voters in Vancouver Prepare for Municipal Election

By Mario Canseco

Housing (43%, up eight points) remains the most important issue for likely voters in the city, followed by crime (14%, up five points).

Vancouver, BC [October 14, 2022] – The outcome of the mayoral election in Vancouver is uncertain, with the two main contenders tied and about one-in-seven likely voters still undecided about who they will support tomorrow, a new Research Co. poll has found.

The online survey of a representative sample of likely voters in Vancouver finds both incumbent Kennedy Stewart of Forward Together and challenger Ken Sim of A Better City (ABC) garnering the support of 33% of decided voters. The numbers represent a two-point drop for Stewart and a three-point gain for Sim since a Research Co. survey conducted in early September.

Colleen Hardwick of TEAM for a Livable Vancouver remains in third place with 16% (-1), followed by Mark Marissen of Progress Vancouver with 8% (-5) and Fred Harding of the Non-Partisan Association (NPA) also with 8% (+4). Two per cent of decided voters say they will cast a ballot for one of the other ten mayoral candidates.

Among male decided voters, Stewart has a three-point edge over Sim (37% to 34%). The race is closer among female voters, with Sim one point ahead of Stewart (31% to 30%), and Hardwick at 21%.

Stewart is the top choice for voters on both the East side of Vancouver (37%) and Downtown (35%), while Sim holds the upper hand on the West side (35%).

Among likely voters who own their primary residence, Sim has a five-point lead over Stewart (38% to 33%), while Stewart is ahead of Sim among likely voters who rent their primary residence (33% to 25%).

“On the eve of the election, 14% of likely voters in Vancouver are still undecided about which mayoral candidate to back,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “The proportion of undecided voters is higher among women (17%), likely voters aged 35-to-54 (17%), residents of the West Side (16%) and renters (18%).”

More than two-in-five likely voters in Vancouver (43%, +8) identify housing is the most important issue facing the city—a proportion that rises to 47% among women and to 49% among likely voters aged 55 and over.

Crime is second on the list of pressing concerns for likely voters in Vancouver at 14% (+5), followed by property taxes (10%, +1), poverty (8%, -1) and drug overdoses (8%, -6).

Methodology:

Results are based on an online survey conducted on October 13 and October 14, 2022, among a representative sample of 400 municipal likely voters in the City of Vancouver, including 344 decided voters in the 2022 mayoral election. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in the City of Vancouver. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 4.9 percentage points for the entire sample and +/- 5.3 percentage points for the sample of decided voters, 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
Stewart and Sim Are Frontrunners in Vancouver Mayoral Election

Stewart and Sim Are Frontrunners in Vancouver Mayoral Election

By Mario Canseco

More than a third of likely voters believe housing is the most important issue facing the city right now.

Vancouver, BC [September 8, 2022] – Four mayoral candidates are in double-digits as voters in Vancouver ponder their choices in next month’s election, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative sample, 35% of decided voters in the City of Vancouver would support incumbent Kennedy Stewart of Forward Vancouver, while 30% would cast their ballot for Ken Sim of A Better City (ABC).

Colleen Hardwick of TEAM for a Livable Vancouver is in third place with 17 per cent, followed by Mark Marissen of Progress Vancouver with 13% and Fred Harding of the Non-Partisan Association (NPA) with 4%.

More than a third of likely voters in Vancouver (35%) say housing is the most important issue facing the city, followed by drug overdoses (14%), crime (9%), poverty (also 9%) and property taxes (also 9%).

“Concerns about housing are particularly high among women (42%) and likely voters aged 35-to-54 (39%) in the City of Vancouver,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Drug overdoses are a more prevalent topic among likely voters who reside Downtown (19%) than among their counterparts who live on the West Side (13%) or the East Side (11%).”

Two thirds of likely voters in the City of Vancouver (67%) have followed the municipal electoral campaign “very closely” or “moderately closely.”

Over the past two months, a majority of likely voters in the City of Vancouver (52%) have seen, read or heard media stories where mayoral or council candidates discussed their position on issues. Almost three-in-ten (29%) have visited the website of a mayoral or council candidate.

While 16% of likely voters in the City of Vancouver have interacted with a mayoral or council candidate on social media (such as following on Twitter or liking on Facebook), the proportion rises to 25% among those aged 18-to-34.

Just over two thirds of likely voters in Vancouver (68%) support the use of “SOGI-Inclusive Education”, which raises awareness of and welcomes students of all sexual orientations, gender identities and family structures.

In national survey conducted by Research Co. in July 2019, 62% of Canadians supported the use of “SOGI-Inclusive Education” in their province.

Methodology:

Results are based on an online survey conducted from September 3 to September 5, 2022, among a representative sample of 400 municipal likely voters in the City of Vancouver. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in the City of Vancouver. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 4.9 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

Almost Three-in-Five Vancouver Voters Want a Ward System

Almost Three-in-Five Vancouver Voters Want a Ward System

By Mario Canseco

Majorities also support establishing tougher guidelines for residents who want to become candidates for public office.

Vancouver, BC [June 21, 2022] – More voters in the City of Vancouver are in favour of changing the way they elect their councillors, a new Research Co. poll has found.

In the online survey of a representative sample, 58% of likely voters in the City of Vancouver (+6 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in November 2020) would move to a “ward system” (where councillors can be elected in specific constituencies) and abandon the currently used “at-large system” (where voters select 10 councillors).

Support for the implementation of a “ward system” in Vancouver is high among likely voters who reside in the East Side (57%), the West Side (58%) and Downtown (60%).

Majorities of voters who cast ballots for Kennedy Stewart (66%), Ken Sim (63%) or Shauna Sylvester (56%) in the 2018 Vancouver mayoral election are in favour of a “ward system.”

In order to run for office in the City of Vancouver, candidates are currently required to present the signatures of 25 nominators. More than three-in-five likely voters (62%, +2) believe this number should be raised to 100 signatures in future elections.

“Voters of all ages believe it is time to raise the bar for aspiring municipal politicians in Vancouver,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Majorities of likely voters aged 18-to-34 (60%), aged 35-to-54 (62%) and aged 55 and over (65%) believe candidates must secure at least 100 signatures if they want their name to appear on the ballot.”

In addition, candidates who wish to run for office in the City of Vancouver are currently required to pay a $100 deposit, which is refunded after the election. More than half of likely voters (54%, -1) think this number should be raised to $500 in future elections.

Methodology: Results are based on an online study conducted from June 7 to June 9, 2022, among 400 municipal likely voters in the City of Vancouver. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in the City of Vancouver. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 4.9 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