Article content continued

As part of the poll, some 804 respondents in B.C., chimed in on their thoughts about Clark and provincial Opposition leader Adrian Dix of the NDP.

Clark’s job-disapproval rating has climbed above 50% for the first time since the B.C. Liberal leader became premier nine months ago, according to results of the poll.

Findings of the survey also suggest Clark trails Dix for the first time in approval ratings.

Forty per cent of British Columbians approve of Clark’s performance, 51% disapprove, and 9% are undecided, according to the poll’s findings.

Forty-seven per cent of British Columbians approve of Opposition leader Dix’s performance, compared to 35% who disapprove, with 18% undecided, the survey found.

The secondary poll had a margin of error of 3.5%, 19 times out of 20.

In Saskatchewan, interim NDP leader John Nilson had the second-lowest approval rating, at 33%, just ahead of New Brunswick interim leader Victor Boudreau, at 29%.

Angus Reid vice-president Mario Canseco said the B.C. findings throw into question the earlier assumption that Clark has a personal appeal that Dix lacks.

“What’s fascinating is that the undecideds are breaking into the approval category for Adrian Dix,” said Canseco.

“And the problem for Christy now is that for the first time since she took over, her level of disapproval is over 50%.”

Canseco cautioned that provincial politics can “turn in a heartbeat,” noting how Manitoba Conservative leader Hugh McFadyen led the polls for much of the year but then lost to the NDP in the October provincial election.

The pollster said Clark’s approval rating of 40% is impressive, especially considering that former premier Gordon Campbell’s rating slid to a dismal 9%.

Nevertheless, he added, the new data suggest “the Opposition leader is being seen as the more capable manager, in a way, than the person who is now in charge.”

Postmedia News