THE ISSUE

When former Jimmy Pattison executive Nick Geer left his job as and CEO of ICBC last June, critics charged that despite his success in cutting costs and controlling rates, he was forced out because he believed there was real virtue in protecting most aspects of public auto insurance.

Of course, it's complicated

The Liberal government wants to increase competition for optional coverage, while maintaining ICBC's monopoly on basic coverage. Yet such competition may result in increased basic rates, as private companies try and skim the safest drivers while leaving the bad ones to ICBC.

The bottom line

B.C. citizens have been protected from the dramatic increases in auto insurance rates that have plagued other provinces. How will your government ensure that increased private competition for optional insurance won't result in increases in ICBC's basic rates?

THE ANSWERS

Green Party of BC

ICBC is a profitable Crown corporation that returns profit to the treasury and thus to the people of B.C. The Liberals (and before them the NDP) tend to forget why Crown corporations exist at all, namely to provide an essential service to the public as close to cost as possible. The current situation is a basic "if it it ain't broke, don't fix it" proposition. ICBC successfully provides some of the best rates in Canada and is a valued public corporation. Our solution is that ICBC should retain its current position to provide most automobile insurance in B.C.

Democratic Reform BC

Our party is committed to public auto-insurance, which gives British Columbians the best value for coverage. ICBC should be maintained as a self-contained public insurance company, for which no parts are contracted out. We further express support for ICBC programs such as those related to auto-theft and highway safety as public initiatives aimed at protecting the public interest in lower insurance rates. We see an enhanced role for public insurance as the most cost-effective approach and the one most likely to protect the public interest. Earl Martz, Prince-George Omenica, highways critic, 250-962-0147, [email protected]

BC Liberals

Although the party platform explicitly reversed its position on privatizing the Knowledge Network, ICBC is completely absent from the document.

NDP

The NDP platform commits it to prevent the soaring auto insurance rates facing drivers in other provinces by keeping ICBC public: "Private car insurance means higher premiums. Just take a look around the rest of the country. Yet that is exactly where the Gordon Campbell government is trying to drive British Columbians. Rather than let ICBC do its business in the best possible way for B.C. drivers, the Liberal government has interfered in the corporation's business plan and operations, limiting its ability to offer drivers the best possible price. Gordon Campbell even fired his handpicked ICBC president because he argued in favour of public auto insurance after learning how efficient it is."