BC Liberals: ‘Horgan has to come clean on his intentions for photo-radar’

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – BC’s Opposition Liberals say a report into ICBC’s finances could usher in a new era of photo-radar and no-fault insurance.

The study, that was produced by Ernst & Young and commissioned during the previous Liberal government, was leaked this past week.

It says current auto insurance rates are not high enough to cover ICBC’s costs.

It suggests rates could go up by 30 per cent, and it says the agency should consider adopting no-fault insurance and re-introducing photo-radar, to help the bottom line.

Vancouver-Quilchena Liberal MLA Andrew Wilkinson says the fact the report was just made public suggests a possible NDP government agenda.

“It’s convenient that this report was leaked within a week of cabinet being sworn in. It’s probably going to be a launch vehicle for them to look into photo-radar and no-fault insurance. The public need to know what their intentions are.”

The previous Liberal government had kept insurance rates low, but the report says they are not high enough to cover the true cost of paying claims.

Photo-radar was implemented by the NDP in 1996, but scrapped by the Liberals in 2001. It was designed to nab speeding drivers, but proved unpopular among British Columbians.

No-fault insurance is already in place in Alberta and New Brunswick. It limits the ability for drivers to sue other drivers, and establishes maximum pay-out settlements for crashes that result in minor injuries.

“I think the core issue here is the NDP have to establish trust and they have to establish that they are going to be consultative. Premier Horgan has to come clean about his plans for photo-radar and for no fault insurance,” says Wilkinson

The Attorney General was not available for comment, but a provincial spokesperson insists neither no-fault insurance nor photo-radar are being considered.

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