Poll finds over 1 in 6 BC residents have lost their job, but vast majority think aid will work

More than one in six British Columbians have reported losing their jobs due to the COVID-19 crisis, a poll has found.

The Insights West survey also found that large numbers of people in the province say they have been affected by the pandemic.

Its main findings include:

• 17% of BC residents have lost their job

• 11% say their spouse has lost their job

• 30% have reduced hours

• 54% are worried about household expenses

• 49% are worried about buying food

• 49% are worried about paying the rent or mortgage

• 76% are worried about their savings or investments

On the bright side:

• 79% think government aid will be effective

• 79% think Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry is doing a good job

• 72% approve of Minister of Health Adrian Dix’s work

• 65% approve of Premier John Horgan’s work

• 67% approve of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's work

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a dramatic effect on British Columbia and the rest of the world, the extent of the economic impact has been massive as found in our poll results” said Steve Mossop, president of Insights West.

“Prior to this crisis, our polling results have shown over time that about 35-40% of the population has been financially vulnerable, and this tidal wave of bad news has reached even further than that, affecting citizen’s ability not only to pay rent and household expenses — but to also put food on the table.

"The repercussions are here for a very long time, unfortunately.”

The survey was based on a representative sample of 818 BC adults who were polled between March 23 and 24.