NDP maintains significant lead over B.C. Liberals, says poll

The B.C. NDP continues to hold a significant lead of 20 per cent over the governing B.C. Liberals heading into the campaign for the May 14 provincial election, according to the latest Angus Reid poll.

The online poll of 809 B.C. adults found 48 per cent of decided voters supported or leaned toward supporting the NDP, up one per cent from the last poll in February.

Meanwhile support for the B.C. Liberals dropped three percentage points to 28 per cent in the poll, which was conducted on March 18 and 19.

According to pollster Mario Canseco, support for the Liberals has fallen below 30 per cent for the first time this year and  "there is no major area of the province where the incumbent party is supported by at least a third of decided voters."

"Across British Columbia, 62 per cent of respondents think it is time for a change in government in British Columbia. This figure includes 91 per cent of those who voted for the New Democrats four years ago, and one third of those who supported the Gordon Campbell-led B.C. Liberals in 2009," said Canseco.

The B.C. Conservatives were in third place with 11 per cent support, while the Greens had nine per cent support in the poll.

The Greens get their best numbers on Vancouver Island – 18 per cent, while the BC Conservatives increased their standing in the Southern Interior to 17 per cent, he said.