Televised debates in Canadian provincial and federal elections present a chance for the challenger—usually the leader of the official Opposition—to be seen as a capable head of government. For Conservative Party of B.C. Leader John Rustad, the events that transpired inside CBC’s Vancouver studio last week will most likely be regarded as a lost opportunity to establish an emotional connection with the electorate.

The B.C. Conservatives reached the debate in a statistical tie with the governing BC New Democratic Party (NDP). The onus was on Rustad to seal the deal, to convince undecided voters that change was necessary and to go beyond the focus of the early stages of the campaign: mistrust of the current premier.

Over the long weekend, Research Co. asked likely voters in British Columbia about the impending election. Support for the BC NDP remained at 45 per cent province-wide, but the BC Conservatives fell three points to 41 per cent. The BC Green Party improved to 11 per cent, while other parties and independent candidates are backed by three per cent of likely voters at this point.

The personal numbers for BC NDP Leader David Eby did not move much. His approval rating is 53 per cent (up........

© BIV