Where candidates stand on the issues: ICBC's monopoly on car insurance

British Columbia is one of only three provinces in Canada with a public run insurance program. In addition, the insurance rates in B.C. are considered to be some of the most expensive out of all publicly run insurance providers in Canada.

Here's what the candidates in the three Kelowna ridings responded when asked if they would consider removing ICBC's monopoly on car insurance.

B.C. Greens

Alison Shaw | Kelowna-Lake Country

ICBC is a crown corporation and a public asset. It is mandated to provide the best value for the rate payer and be non-profit. Currently it has not been used that way. It has been used more like a government ATM machine. I would push to investigate the effectiveness of ICBC and different policy options for ratepayers. Compared with other provinces, BC insurance rates are lower and part of this is the result of public insurance. ICBC however, should not be an ATM for the government to balance the budget, which ultimately forces rate increases. Its mandate as a non-profit that provides the best value for the rate payer should be restored.

Rainer Wilkins | Kelowna-Mission

I do not believe the BC Greens support removing the public asset of ICBC's monopoly. Public assets cover a wide range – schools, roads, hospitals, courthouses, ferries, crown land, parks and protected areas, as well as publicly owned companies such as BC Hydro, ICBC, and the Liquor Distribution Branch. They include trees, oil and gas, metals and minerals and water. They are also important resources and employers that enhance the lives of British Columbians.
Personally, I believe more oversight is required to ensure that the people of British Columbia (the OWNERS of ICBC) are receiving the right services at the right price. Surely if we manage ICBC properly we can offer better value insurance than private Corporations, if not then perhaps private insurance should be considered.

Robert Mellalieu | Kelowna-West

Still awaiting response.

B.C. Liberals

Norm Letnick | Kelowna-Lake Country

Moving to a private insurance system for basic insurance would lead to sky high rate increases for our youngest and oldest drivers as insurance would more closely reflect higher risk of accidents for these two groups. ICBC spreads those extra costs among all drivers. I believe the fairer approach is to maintain ICBC’s oversight of basic insurance and open market on optional insurance giving our youth and seniors rates they can better afford and everyone choice for extra coverage. We can do more to tackle increasing rate pressures from people crashing more; making more bodily injury claims for every crash and the cost of those claims is increasing.

Longer term, ICBC keep rates affordable for British Columbians, and we are committed to working with them on that. The board has ordered an independent review to find solutions to get rates down to the rate of inflation into the future.

Steve Thomson | Kelowna-Mission

Our goal is to maintain public ownership of ICBC and to work within the current model in order to keep automotive insurance as affordable as possible for British Columbians.

First and foremost, the challenge ICBC is facing is a result of strong external pressures: British Columbians are crashing more; making more bodily injury claims for every crash and the cost of those claims is increasing.

ICBC, along with auto insurers across North America, are facing the same issues. To address this, our government is taking a number of steps: including increased penalties for distracted driving, cracking down on fraud, changes to how luxury vehicles are insured, and a new windshield repair program. Longer term, ICBC keep rates affordable for British Columbians, and we are committed to working with them on that. The board has ordered an independent review to find solutions to get rates down to the rate of inflation into the future.

Christy Clark | kelowna-West

Still awaiting response.

B.C. NDP

Erik Olesen | Kelowna-Lake Country

We will stop Christy Clark and the BC Liberals 42% increase in ICBC rates. We are about making life more affordable for British Columbian's and this is our first step when looking at ICBC in our Province. I know this is the plan of Christy Clark, the Queen of hidden taxes, to impose more unfair increases on the backs of British Columbians while protecting her top 2% friends. We need a government working for people in our province and an MLA working for you so that's why on May 9th the only choice is the BC NDP and Erik Olesen for Kelowna-Lake Country to have real effective change in our province.

Harwinder Sandhu | Kelowna-Mission

No, we have no plans to open ICBC’s basic insurance business to competition. ICBC rates had been the most cost effective model until the BC Liberals’ mismanagement caused skyrocketing prices. We will stop Christy Clark and the Liberals’ planned 42% increase in ICBC rates.

Shelley Cook | Kelowna-West

No, we're not going to open up ICBC's basic insurance business to competition, though we'll keep the Optional Market open.

ICBC has historically provided very affordable insurance rates to British Columbians and can again if it is managed properly, but the B.C. Liberals' mismanagement has caused rates to skyrocket. We'll stop the planned 42% rate hike and review the Crown Corporation to fix the mess it is now in.

B.C. Conservatives

Chuck Hardy | Kelowna-Mission

ICBC simply needs to be accountable. They can have reasonable rates for insurance just like other companies can. Management bonuses etc. need to be disallowed and the benefit can be handed down to the customers.