Poll shows strong support for B.C. plan to slowly lift restrictions

British Columbians are supportive of the provincial government’s plan to slowly reopen businesses, elective surgeries and parks, according to a new poll.

The Insights West survey found an overwhelming 91 per cent either support the timing of elective surgeries resuming or wish they had started sooner, while 78 per cent agree with reopening provincial parks.

The poll found B.C. respondents were divided on reopening salons, with 60 per cent in favour.

Sixty-six per cent support reopening of retail, but were less supportive of social gatherings, with only half agreeing it’s a good idea.

Half (49 per cent) were also OK with opening restaurants, according to the poll.

Last week, B.C. Premier John Horgan unveiled a plan to reopen the province.

The poll, conducted shortly after the premier’s news conference, also found there are residents who feel the reopening is proceeding too quickly.

Insights West said there is some resistance toward relaxing rules regarding social gatherings of small groups, eating at restaurants, in-person schooling and hair salons.

However, there is overall support, with 79 per cent backing Horgan’s plan. Of those, 32 per cent strongly support it and 47 per cent somewhat support the plan.

Only 18 per cent are opposed, including five per cent who strongly oppose.

Steve Mossop, president of Insights West, said it is rare to find support more than 70 per cent for any decision made by a premier.

In a statement Friday, Mossop said Horgan can “rest assured that the public is backing his plan,” adding that

“if anything, he should continue to proceed ultra-cautiously, as B.C. residents are leaning toward a very conservative approach of returning to normal.”

Dentistry, chiropractic, physiotherapy and in-person counselling appointments is another category where a majority (70 per cent) are supportive of the reopening of, with a relatively smaller number (16 per cent) who think it should have been done sooner.

Respondents were divided on allowing gatherings, with 47 per cent saying it should be allowed later, and 43 per cent saying the plan is acceptable.

Results are based on an online poll of 747 B.C. residents, conducted from May 6 to May 7. The margin of error is plus or minus 3.6 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.