Mystery polling suggests ex-Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson or ex-BC Premier Christy Clark were considered possible federal Vancouver-Quadra Liberal candidates!

Bill Tieleman with Gregor Robertson

Who is polling residents of Vancouver-Quadra federal riding, asking what they think about former Vancouver Mayor and ex-NDP MLA Gregor Robertson running for the Liberal Party - and about ex-BC Premier and short-lived federal Liberal leadership candidate Christy Clark?   So who is behind mystery poller "Civic Issues Research"? 

UPDATE: The Liberal Party of Canada has appointed Wade Grant as their candidate in Vancouver-Quadra just this afternoon!  As noted below in my original story, the idea of bumping Grant out in favour of Robertson or Clark would not have been received favourably by many - but pretty obviously the pollster working for the federal Liberals?  Or Conservatives? - was hired to test the waters at considerable cost to whoever commissioned the poll.  And those results may be valuable when it comes to offering Robertson and/or Clark a candidacy in another Vancouver or Metro Vancouver riding. 

The answer is as elusive as the question is fascinating!

I was polled by an unknown firm called "Civic Issues Research" - which does not exist in an extensive Google search - on March 10, 2025, with an Interactive Voice Response call - often known as a "robo call."  An automated voice asks questions and the respondent pushes telephone keyboard numbers to answer. 

As a former newspaper and online publication columnist, I taped the call! 

After asking: "If a federal election were held today, which party would you vote for or lean towards?" the "Civics Issues Research" got to the Vancouver-Quadra questions!

"If a federal election were held today, and the following candidates were running in your local riding, who would you vote for:

Press 1 for Ken Charko, running for the Conservative Party

Press 2 for Naden Abenes, running for the NDP

Press 3 for Gregor Robertson, running for the Liberal Party

Press 4 for Tom Digby, running for the Green Party, or

Press 5 if you are undecided"

It's very newsworthy that Gregor Robertson was listed as a possible Liberal candidate in my riding - Vancouver-Quadra - and the Globe and Mail broke a story this week that he was a possible star candidate for new Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney.  Other media have speculated Robertson would run in Vancouver-South, replacing retiring MP and cabinet minister Harjit Sajjan.  

And some of my sources say it would not look good if Wade Grant, a Musqueam First Nation officer who has been running a long campaign for the Liberal nomination, was bumped out by Carney in favour of Robertson.  We will soon see. 

Also noteworthy is that current Green Party Vancouver Park Board Commissioner Tom Digby is running for the federal Greens, as of March 6.  Naden Abenes ran for the NDP in 2021 but the party has not yet nominated a candidate this year. 

Then, after questions  another potential shocker.  

"On a scale of 1 to 5, where is 1 is very favourable, 3 is neutral, and 5 is very unfavourable, what is your opinion of: 

Joyce Murray [outgoing Vancouver-Quadra Liberal MP]

Gregor Robertson

Christy Clark

Ken Charko

Former BC Liberal Premier Christy Clark

Then they go to demographic questions - gender, age bracket, etc. 

I placed a call to the number listed on the IVR call for Civic Issues Research - 604 265-2740 - but no one answered.  The same voice as on the call had a message saying you could ask to be taken off their calling list by leaving your telephone number or for other information email them at a Gmail address. 

I've emailed that address and if I get a reply I will update this post. 

Full disclosure:  I have worked on Gregor Robertson's past NDP and Vision Vancouver campaigns.  I haven't been in touch with him for a few years.  And I have always voted NDP provincially and federally, but respect Gregor's public service and ability.  I have not contacted him and would not expect him to confirm anything about this polling.