Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Shuswap MLA Greg Kyllo

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: Setting the record straight on NDP’s imaginary ‘savings’

Feb 18, 2021 | 11:22 AM

TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY seem to be big challenges for John Horgan and his NDP government right now— especially when it comes to the situation at ICBC. While the government is touting all sorts of savings and rebates for drivers, it is conveniently leaving out the fine print.

The NDP has been talking a big game about their upcoming ICBC rate reductions, saying drivers will see an average reduction of 20 per cent this year. But they are hoping drivers have forgotten that the NDP actually raised rates for the average B.C. driver for three straight years, with new and young drivers bearing the brunt of these increases. So yes, while you might have a slightly smaller bill coming to you — that’s after you’ve already had your rates jacked up about 40 per cent, from an average of $1,364 in 2017 to a whopping $1,900 in 2020.

The NDP has also been slow to act on the savings arising from a substantial decline in accident claims due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That is where the real savings are coming from, although the NDP would like to imagine it’s the result of its financial management. British Columbia is one of the last provinces to see this type of rebate come to fruition. It should have happened months ago.

But let’s take a look at the rebate itself. The NDP announced a return of about $190 per policy holder, which is well below the average of $280 in savings that drivers across Canada have seen. So that was disappointing — but it gets better! It turns out that the worst drivers will get a bigger rebate thanks to the way ICBC designed the program. Rather then basing it on the safest driving records, it will simply be calculated as a flat 19 per cent of the amount a policy holder was paying during the peak of the pandemic. So those who were paying the most for their insurance — we’re talking the riskiest drivers, some of whom happen to drive the flashiest, most expensive cars — will see the greatest savings. How fair is that?

Finally, I have to question why it will take the NDP government six weeks to deliver this rebate since it should have happened months ago. But on the flip side, given how they have bungled the COVID Recovery Benefit, which was supposed to be delivered by Christmas, maybe six weeks will end up being a challenge for them as well.

1000 Ways to Heal

1000 Ways to Heal: Moons

Dec 10, 2024

Question of the Week

Should Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson apologize or resign after it was found he breached a section of council's code of conduct for allowing false or misleading information to be communicated?

Dec 09, 2024

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Donald has it wrong - again

Dec 08, 2024

Here’s the bottom line: John Horgan and the NDP aren’t being straight with British Columbians. They raised ICBC rates by nearly 40 per cent over the past three years and are expecting you to jump for joy when they return a small rebate. Instead of ‘opening the hood’ and being transparent and accountable, they are instead choosing to ‘slam the trunk’ on B.C.’s safest drivers.

——

Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or the Jim Pattison Broadcast Group.