B.C. Conservatives, NDP locked in tie as leadership race looms: poll

The Conservative Party of British Columbia and the B.C. NDP are tied for voter support in a new poll, as the Conservatives contend with a leadership vacuum following John Rustad’s removal.

The Conservative Party of British Columbia and the B.C. NDP are tied for voter support in a new poll, as the Conservatives contend with a leadership vacuum following John Rustad’s removal.

A Mainstreet Research survey released Monday shows both parties at 34 per cent among decided and leaning voters if a provincial election were held tomorrow. The B.C. Greens sit at eight per cent, the new One BC party at six per cent, while 18 per cent are undecided.

By comparison, the 2024 provincial election saw the NDP take 42 per cent of the vote, the Conservatives 39 per cent, and the Greens seven per cent.

The poll of 1,902 B.C. adults was conducted from December 17 to 18 using automated telephone interviews. Mainstreet says the results carry a margin of error of plus or minus 2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Among Conservative supporters, interest in the ongoing leadership race is mixed.

Two-thirds of Conservative voters—66 per cent—are undecided on who they want to lead the party, according to the poll.

Aaron Gunn leads among declared preferences with 18 per cent, followed by Peter Milobar at six per cent, Iain Black at four per cent, Chris Gardner at two per cent, while Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Caroline Elliott, Harman Bhangu and Yuri Fulmer each register one per cent support.

Second-choice preferences are even less defined, with 81 per cent undecided.

Gunn is the most common second choice at seven per cent, followed by Findlay at five per cent, Black at three per cent, Gardner at two per cent, and other candidates at one per cent each.

With the Conservatives in a tie with the B.C. NDP, despite having no party leader, the leadership vote, which is open to party members, could significantly reshape the party as it positions itself ahead of the next election.