Top Issues for British Columbians
Vancouver, BC September 18, 2026 – As British Columbia appears to be on the verge of an early provincial election, an Ipsos poll released earlier this week shows there are three clear top issues in British Columbia – cost of living, health care and housing. The much discussed issue of land use, property rights and DRIPA is much lower down on the list of general public priorities.
Top Issues
There are three dominant issues for voters in British Columbia – cost of living/inflation (56%), health care (40%) and housing affordability and availability (34%).
Secondary issues include jobs and the economy (19%), crime and public safety (19%), US trade and tariff issues (19%), social issues like poverty and homelessness (18%), taxes (17%), drug use/addiction and the opioid crisis (15%) and climate change and the environment (12%).
- Top issues for current BC NDP supporters include cost of living/inflation (54%), health care (46%), housing affordability and availability (36%) and US trade and tariff issues (26%).
- Top issues for current BC Conservative supporters include cost of living/inflation (63%), housing affordability and availability (32%), health care (31%), crime and public safety (30%), jobs and the economy (27%) and taxes (25%).
- Top issues for undecided voters include cost of living/inflation (49%), health care (40%) and housing affordability and availability (30%).
Both the NDP and Conservatives have spent much time over the last 12 months discussing the issue of land use, property rights and DRIPA. This issue, however, is selected as a top issue by only 6% of BC residents, including 3% of NDP supporters and 9% of Conservative supporters.
The full list of issues British Columbians would most like to see provincial leaders address is listed below. Survey respondents could select up to three issues.
About the Study
These are the findings of an Ipsos poll conducted September 8 to 14, 2026. For this survey, a sample of 800 adult British Columbians were surveyed online with sample sourced through the Ipsos panel. Data was weighted by BC region, age, gender and education, in accordance with Census proportions. The precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the poll is accurate to within ±4.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. The credibility interval will be wider among subsets of the population. The credibility interval will be wider among subsets of the population. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error, and measurement error.
For more information on this news release, please contact:
Kyle Braid
SVP, Ipsos Public Affairs
+1 604 788-2417
[email protected]
About Ipsos
Ipsos is one of the largest market research and polling companies globally, operating in 90 markets and employing nearly 20,000 people.
Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. Our 75 business solutions are based on primary data from our surveys, social media monitoring, and qualitative or observational techniques.
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Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has been listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120, Mid-60 indices, and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).
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