Support Fixing Public Car Insurance in BC

Here in BC, we have the benefit of a public car insurance system which ensures everyone has fair and equal access to insurance, and which does not discriminate on the basis things such as age, gender, or marital status.

Unfortunately, while in power the BC Liberals used ICBC as an ATM and left our Crown Corporation nearly insolvent while misrepresenting the finances of the Crown Corporation to the public.

Now the BC Liberals and a variety of other groups are calling for the privatization of our public car insurance. Unlike public car insurance, which is non profit-driven, private car insurance would result in drastically higher insurance premiums on average for drivers under the age of 45.

To make matters worse, it would mean losing out on the current investments in things like road safety initiatives, driver licensing, and delivery of insurance and claims services made by ICBC in our communities.

It could also mean the elimination of thousands of stable, reliable unionized jobs across the province for people whose focus is on taking care of British Columbians.

Thankfully, the BC NDP Provincial Government has recently moved to make major changes to correct the course of ICBC. These changes are being opposed by those who would prefer to see our public car insurance dismantled.

We’re calling on local Mayor’s and MLA’s, the BC Attorney General, and the ICBC critic to support moving ahead with fixing ICBC, and to oppose private insurance entering the basic car insurance market.

You can help – please visit drivingpublic.ca to learn more and quickly send a letter to your MLA.

The VDLC passed the following recommendation at our February 18, 2020, regular meeting: 

Subject: Support fixing public car insurance in British Columbia

BECAUSE public car insurance ensures everyone has fair and equal access to insurance; and

BECAUSE public car insurance does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, or marital status; and

BECAUSE the BC Liberals used ICBC as an ATM and left our Crown Corporation nearly insolvent while intentionally misrepresenting the finances of the Crown Corporation to the public; and

BECAUSE public car insurance is not profit-driven unlike private car insurance; and

BECAUSE private car insurance would result in drastically higher insurance premiums on average for drivers under the age of 45; and

BECAUSE ICBC invests in our communities through road safety initiatives, driver licensing, delivery of insurance and claims services; and

BECAUSE ICBC provides stable, reliable unionized jobs across the province for people whose focus is on taking care of British Columbians,

THE VANCOUVER AND DISTRICT LABOUR COUNCIL WILL send an email to delegates encouraging them to visit DrivingPublic.ca and to sign the Letter to the MLA; and

THE VANCOUVER AND DISTRICT LABOUR COUNCIL WILL send a letter to all local mayors and local MLAs within its area, as well as to the BC Attorney General and the ICBC critic outlining its support for fixing our public car insurance system and speaking out against allowing private insurance companies to enter the basic car insurance market.