Majority of BC residents opposed to changing province's name, survey suggests

Most British Columbians are opposed to changing the province’s name, a new survey suggests.

Just under half of respondents to the poll also want to keep the BC flag’s British roots.

The survey – conducted by Research Co. – comes as some groups in Canada and other Western countries demand that names from the past be changed to accommodate present-day sensibilities.

It found that:

• 60 per cent of respondents disagree with changing BC’s name

• 26 per cent agree with changing the name

• 49 per cent want to keep the Union Flag section of the BC flag

• 30 per cent want it removed

• 18 per cent say they are “bothered” by the “absence of an acknowledgement to Indigenous people”

• 15 per cent are upset about the word “British” in the province’s name

• 8 per cent are upset about the word “Columbia”

“The debate over British Columbia’s name finds very different positions from a generational standpoint,” said Mario Canseco, president of Research Co.

“While more than a third of residents aged 18-to-34 (37 per cent) would welcome a change, the proportion falls to 30 per cent among those aged 35-to-54 and to just 14 per cent among those aged 55 and over.”

The survey also found that Green Party voters are the most likely to back a change (30 per cent).

BC Liberals are the least in favour (26 per cent).

Most respondents (56 per cent), meanwhile, said they agree with the decision to rename the Queen Charlotte Islands to Haida Gwaii, which happened in 2010.

To see the full data, head here.