B.C. Conservatives maintaining two-point lead less than two weeks from provincial election: poll - National Post

Composite photo of the leaders of five parties running in the B.C. election (clockwise from top left): NDP's David Eby, Conservatives Lorne Doerkson, OneBC's Dallas Brodie, CentreBC's Elenore Sturko and Greens' Emily Lowan. Photo by PostmediaArticle contentLess than two weeks away, the B.C. provincial election remains a close race between the Conservatives and the NDP, according to a new poll from Leger.

The Conservatives are holding a narrow two-point lead among decided voters, the Leger data suggests. Meanwhile, there is growing support for the two leading parties, but a significant share of voters are open to changing their minds before they go to the polls on Oct. 24.

At present, 42 per cent of decided voters support the Conservatives, compared to 40 per cent who support the NDP. Support for the Green party has dropped, falling 13 per cent in September to 9 per cent in October. That said, 26 per cent of British Columbians polled by Leger say they are likely to switch their vote, especially among voters 18 to 34 years-old.

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Notably, 56 per cent of B.C. residents believe the province is heading in the wrong direction. That compares with 34 per cent who believe it is moving on the right track.

Since Leger’s September poll, Conservative support has climbed three points, while NDP support has increased by four points. With just two points separating the parties, neither has established a clear lead as the campaign enters its final weeks.

NDP support is concentrated on Vancouver Island. It holds a narrow advantage in Metro Vancouver. The Conservatives, meanwhile, are stronger in the rest of the province. Leger contemplates that the regional differences could be important in determining how the province-wide race translates into individual riding results.

The choices for voters supporting smaller parties could become important in ridings where their preferred party is not running a candidate. According to Elections BC’s official candidate list, not all parties are fielding candidates in every riding. Among supporters of smaller parties, 29 per cent say they will vote for the NDP if their preferred party does not have a candidate in their riding, while 21 per cent will vote Conservative. Another 22 per cent would vote for a party other than the NDP or Conservatives.