B.C. Premier’s approval drops to lowest it has ever been

David Eby’s support among B.C. voters keeps dropping. With another five per cent decrease in his approval ratings since June this year, only 41 per cent say they approve of his performance.

The decline continues fast and steep, as the B.C. Premier’s favour has now lost 12 per cent in the last six months alone.

According to data from the Angus Reid Institute, this is the lowest rating he’s received since he took office in November 2022.

Jon Roe, Senior Research Associate at the polling firm, says it is not only Conservative or moderate voters who aren’t happy about how the government has handled the most pressing issues.

“I think there’s a lot of criticism for the B.C. government right now, especially if you’re looking at those healthcare files, you’re looking at that cost-of-living file,” he explained in an interview with 1130 NewsRadio.

He adds that there is also a division within the NDP voter base on how the government has handled the most pressing issues, such as healthcare and the cost of living.

“I think why we are seeing his numbers go down is that there are a lot of BC NDP supporters now who are also saying, ‘I’m not really on board with the direction this government is [taking].’ So, it is tough to say what will happen in the future,” he said.

Roe says it is also notable that Eby won re-election just under a year ago.

His explanation is that voters have raised concerns about recent labour disputes, including the BCGEU strike.

Additionally, voters are concerned about Indigenous land title decisions and the decision to stop financing an expensive drug for a terminally ill 10-year-old girl, which was later undone after public backlash.

Eby’s highest and lowest ratings are just six months apart

“Some concerns about maybe the financial picture that the B.C. government is in right now and that there’s a big deficit that has gone up over time, as David Eby has been in office,” Roe said.

Another notable point is that the premier’s highest rating was not that long ago: back in March this year, he received a 53 per cent rating.

Ever since his inauguration, Eby’s approval rating has fluctuated between 43 per cent and 48 per cent.

With his 41 per cent approval rating, he now shares the second-to-last spot on the countrywide premier ranking with Ontario Premier Doug Ford.

Only Quebec Premier François Legault has a lower rating with 22 per cent.

Manitoba’s Premier Wab Kinew is the most liked head of all provincial governments in Canada, with an approval rating of 61 per cent.

With files from Srushti Gangdev