It appears British Columbians have little faith in their premier to pull them from the current economic storm.
That’s according to a Thursday study from the Fraser Institute that ranked Premier David Eby as second-lowest among Canada’s 10 provincial leaders for managing finances, with a performance score of 54 out of 100 – tied with Quebec Premier François Legault.
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey (34.9) ranked last. The highest ranking premier currently leading a provincial government was Alberta’s Danielle Smith (63.7).
Former New Brunswick premier Blaine Higgs (71.5) and former Manitoba premier Heather Stefanson (64.3), who exited their respective offices in 2024 and 2023, topped the rankings.
The right-leaning think tank’s rankings are based on government spending, taxes, deficits and debt by the end of the 2023-24 fiscal year.
A challenging time
Eby’s low ranking comes at a critical time for the province, with U.S. President Donald Trump threatening 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods – tariffs that could be in place as early as Feb. 1.
Just in B.C., tariffs would trigger a loss of 124,000 jobs and $69 billion over the next three years, according to government estimates.
At a Tuesday press conference, Eby said “everything is on the table” for a possible economic response.
This could include restrictions on B.C. electricity sent across the border, bidding on government contracts, charging passage for supply trucks travelling to Alaska or levying U.S. alcohol.
“We should really be thinking about spending our money in that country,” said Eby.
Mixed support
Amidst economic pressures and a low fiscal management rating, a Research Co. survey revealed this week British Columbians say they have mixed feelings towards Eby.
When asked to rank the best recent premiers, 25 per cent of British Columbians answered John Horgan – the top spot.
Eby ranked as the fourth-best premier in recent times with seven per cent. However, he’s also high on the list of the worst premiers since August 1986. When asked the select the worst premier, nine per cent of respondents chose Eby (the highest ranking among worst premiers after former BC Liberal leaders Christy Clark and Gordon Campbell).
Results are based on an online survey conducted between Jan. 10 and Jan. 12 with a sample of 800 adults across B.C.
–With files from Stefan Labbé
