The proposals set out in the BC Liberal Speech from the Throne June 22 are popular with British Columbians, but many residents doubt the current government would actually implement them, according to an Insights West poll released June 29.

See also: Throne speech cribs from NDP platform

The poll found that the speech did little to sway B.C. residents, who are anxiously awaiting a Legislative Assembly vote that is widely expected to take down the current government. While most survey respondents said they thought the Liberals would follow through on the construction of the Site C dam (72%), only 45% of those polled said they supported the proposal. Most respondents (58%) said they believed the Liberals would name a Minister of State for Mental Health, Addictions and Recovery (58%), but they found the other promised actions difficult to believe.

Only a third of those polled (33%) said they believe the government as it stands would go ahead with promises dealing with lobbyists, even though 80% said they are in favour of banning union and corporate political donations. Fewer than a third – 32% – said they thought the Liberals would follow through with a promise to scrap the Port Mann Bridge toll and work with TransLink to ditch the Golden Ears Bridge toll. Twenty nine per cent of respondents felt they would follow through on both their child care pledges and political donation-related promises.

“The only promises in the Speech from the Throne that British Columbians expect the current government to keep are the ones related to Site C and mental health,” said Insights West vice-president of public affairs Mario Canseco.

“There is a high degree of skepticism from the public when asked if the BC Liberals will actually deal with political donations, child care and electoral reform.”

The survey found that more than half of all those surveyed – 55% – would like to see the NDP and Greens form a government. Twenty five per cent would like to see the BC Liberals continue and 15% would like to see the Legislative Assembly dissolved and a new election held.

As well, the poll found Premier Christy Clark’s approval rating has dropped six percentage points in the last month, reaching 32%. Meanwhile, John Horgan, leader of the BC NDP, has seen his approval rating jump seven percentage points to 49%. Grean Party Leader Andrew Weaver’s approval increased four percentage points to 50%, giving him the highest rating among the three leaders.

ecrawford@biv.com

@EmmaHampelBIV