Liberals lagging in new poll

Photo: Wayne Moore - Castanet File Photo

The ruling BC Liberal Party finds itself lagging behind the NDP in the latest provincial poll conducted by Mainstreet/Postmedia.

The poll, which surveyed 2,207 people September 7 and 8, has the NDP holding a five per cent edge (38 per cent to 33 percent). The poll has a margin of error of +/- 2.09 per cent 19 times out of 20.

Lagging in the polls within a year of an election is nothing new for the Liberals, who stunned pollsters by winning in 2013, even though they trailed up until election night.

While the latest poll shows the NDP with a slight edge, it also paints a different picture depending which part of the province you are looking at.

The NDP hold a wide edge on Vancouver Island with the Green Party a close third, while in the Interior, the Liberals hold the edge.

In Greater Vancouver, the NDP hold a slim lead, just outside the margin or error.

“However there is weakness in the NDP’s support," said Quito Maggi, president of Mainstreet Research.

"While 50 per cent of voters say the economy will be important when casting their ballot, only 21 per cent say the NDP are focused on job creation compared to 41 per cent for the Liberals. One-in-five voters could not say if the NDP had a priority at all, more than double the 8 per cent the BC Liberals scored on the same measure.”

Economically, only 39 per cent of respondents believe the province is going in the right direction, 31 per cent believe it is going in the wrong direction.

When asked specifically about the Kinder Morgan pipeline expansion, opinion was split almost straight down the middle. Forty three per cent are opposed, 42 per cent in favour.

There was more opposition specific to the Northern Gateway pipeline project, with 46 per cent opposed compared with 40 per cent in favour.

British Columbians go to the polls May 9.