Clark boosts B.C. Liberal support: poll

A new poll suggests the B.C. Liberals are getting a bit of a boost from their new leader Christy Clark, while opposition to theHST is dropping.

According to Mario Canseco, the vice president of communications for Angus Reid, the poll suggests the Liberals have the support of 43 per cent of decided voters across B.C.

That's an increase of two percentage points from the Angus Reid last poll in February, before Christy Clark became Liberal leader and premier, and a seven per cent increase from December when the party was tied with the NDP in the Angus Reid poll at 36 per cent.

Meanwhile Canseco says the poll suggests NDP support has climbed only slightly since December to 38 per cent,meaning the difference between the parties is statistically significant.

"It's the first time we've had the B.C. Liberals ahead by more than the margin of error since the election, a five point lead right now, which is good news. It means that they got a little bit of a nice jump since the new head of government was chosen," said Canseco.

The poll suggested the Green Party had the support of 10 per cent of residents and the B.C. Conservatives had the support of five per cent.

NDP leads with women and Interior residents

The online survey of more than 800 BC voters was conducted last week after Christy Clark was sworn in as Premier and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 per cent.

"The BC Liberals hold the upper hand in Metro Vancouver, Vancouver Island and the North, while the NDP is leading in the Interior," said Canseco.

"The governing party maintains the 14-point advantage among male voters. Among women, the NDP is five points aheaddown from a nine-point advantage last month. The NDP remains the top choice for voters aged 18-to-34 and those living in households earning less than $50,000 a year," he said.

The poll also suggests NDP MLA Mike Farnworth remains the most popular choice for NDP leader in the party's race to replace former-leader Carole James, with the support of 43 per cent of B.C. residents, while MLA Adrian Dix is a distant second with 27 per cent support.

HST opposition declines

The poll also notes opposition to the HST continues to fall, with a majority of those surveyed54 per centsaying they would vote to abolish the HST in the coming referendum, down from 64 per cent in the December poll.

"The HST would be abolished if the referendum took place this month, but it is important to note that the level of animosity towards the tax is considerably lower than last year, when three-in-five respondents were ready to vote against the HST," said Canseco.

"It will be important to see if the numbers shift once the new government and the opposition define their campaign strategies," he said.

The poll also asked residents about another hot topic the proposed casino in downtown Vancouver at BC Place.

"Across the province, 47 per cent of respondents disagree with the plan to build a $450-million hotel-casino development next to BC Place in Vancouver, while 39 per cent of respondents agree with it. In Metro Vancouver, respondents are evenly divided, with 47 per cent agreeing and 44 disagreeing with plan," said Canseco.