Skip to main content

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

If other public and private insurers can pass on savings of nearly three quarters of a billion dollars, the people of BC deserve the same from ICBC


Two weeks ago, the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), which represents companies providing private auto insurance across Canada (excluding Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia), made a major announcement, due to the impacts of COVID-19.

The April 8th media release IBC stated that to help Canadians cope with the financial impact of COVID-19, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) member companies would be offering substantial consumer relief measures.

And what did that consumer relief look like? 

According to the Insurance Bureau, for consumers whose driving habits had changed significantly, their member companies would be offering reductions in auto insurance premiums which they estimated could result in $600 million in savings to consumers.

Now, today, Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI) announced they would be returning up to $110 million to provide financial relief to policyholders in that province. Crown Services Minister Jeff Wharton announced:

“Rebates will be based on what policyholders paid last year and expected to be around 11 per cent, or between $140 to $160, per average policyholder, the minister noted, adding policyholders can expect a rebate cheque at the end of May to early June”, he indicated. 

Regrettably, British Columbia’s government owned Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC), doesn’t feel the need to reciprocate with a similar program, despite the fact that British Columbians are driving far fewer miles than ever.

That doesn’t sit well with Conservative Party of BC leader, Trevor Bolin. Speaking from Ft. St. John this afternoon, Bolin remarked:

“Part of the benefits of having a provincially owned insurance corporation was to ensure the citizens of British Columbia were taken care of.  Three provinces over we are seeing Manitoba’s provincial insurance company rebate the citizens of Manitoba up to 11% of their premiums”.

“Based on a reduction of claims, and a healthier than expected financial statement, the people of Manitoba will share in the prosperity of their provincially owner insurance corporation”.

The Conservative leader then continued, “As British Columbians, we pay more for vehicle insurance than other provinces – that’s not right -- especially when many BC residents, and businesses, are having a tough time financially due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic”.


Conservative Party of BC
ledger Trevor Bolin
British Columbia is now only one of two provinces - out of all provinces and territories in Canada – which has not offered to pass on the savings being realized due to residents staying home; as recommended by Health Minister Adrian Dix, and BC’s Provincial Health Officer, Bonnie Henry.

“Conservatives in BC call on David Eby, the Minister responsible for ICBC, and the government of NDP Premier John Horgan, to afford British Columbians the same savings and benefits from our own provincially owner insurance corporation.”

“If private insurance companies in Canada, and now even Manitoba’s provincially owned public auto insurance company, can pass on savings amounting to nearly three quarters of a billion dollars, the people of BC deserve the same from ICBC”, Conservative leader Trevor Bolin concluded.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Interfor Moves Headquarters Out of BC as Forestry Crisis Continues

NDP policies are driving businesses out of B.C., and the forestry industry just suffered yet another calamity. Interfor, a BC company founded more than 60 years ago and now one of the world's largest lumber producers, is moving its headquarters from Burnaby, BC to Atlanta, Georgia. As BC’s forestry sector faces mill closures and mounting uncertainty, this move is another warning sign that the crisis is deepening and conditions are fatal. “This is the NDP’s record: endless job losses with no hope in sight for the forestry sector,” said Ward Stamer, Shadow Minister for Forestry. “Interfor still has three mills in BC which are now in serious jeopardy, and it is likely we will see even more companies pull out of BC. The NDP government is suffocating the forestry industry with high taxes, excessive regulations, and permitting delays, while DRIPA has made it impossible to plan for the future.” “Decisions like this are sadly not surprising given the NDP’s indifference if not hostility tow...
Post a Comment
Read more

Okanagan Farmers Face NDP-Created Water Crisis ~~ BC Conservatives

Okanagan farmers are facing a water crisis as government-imposed restrictions threaten to kill their crops and destroy one of B.C.’s most important agricultural industries. In perhaps the most water-rich province in the country, our farmers have been left high and dry by the NDP government. For nine weeks, Okanagan and Shuswap farmers have proposed solutions, only to be met with NDP foot-dragging. Now forest fires have come to these regions as they are simultaneously reckoning with a water crisis that has been made worse through years of government inaction. Vernon-area farms have lost 70 percent of their water, while Kelowna and Summerland growers face severe restrictions. This situation is unacceptable and cannot continue. Ian Paton, Shadow Minister for Agriculture, said the NDP is once again forcing farmers to pay for its own failure to plan. "Farmers and ranchers must be listened to when decisions affecting their livelihoods are made, and under the NDP, they aren’t," said...
Post a Comment
Read more

NDP Hypocritically Admits Natural Gas Power Was Needed All Along ~~ BC Conservatives

The NDP just got caught buying back the exact kind of power plant it spent years telling British Columbians they didn't need. The NDP government announced today that BC Hydro is purchasing the Island Generation natural gas facility in Campbell River, an admission that its electrification-only energy policy was never realistic. The 275-megawatt plant was originally privately owned yet kept to a minimal backup role under the NDP, operating just 15 days a year on average. Now, with demand outpacing what the NDP's plan can support, the government is spending taxpayer funds on the very gas capacity it once treated as obsolete. "You cannot electrify everything and pretend natural gas doesn't matter," said Larry Neufeld, Shadow Minister for Energy.  "Buying back a gas plant they once wrote off is proof their own plan couldn't keep the lights on. It's a step towards more energy reality, but the government needs to go further and scrap the impending province-w...
Post a Comment
Read more

Labels

Show more