B.C. Conservatives are proposing to open auto insurance to private competition and replace the current no-fault system with a hybrid model that restores injured crash victims' access to courts, reversing reforms introduced by the NDP government.
- B.C. Conservative interim leader Lorne Doerkson outlined the proposal in a Sept. 29 letter, stating everything is on the table, including opening auto insurance to private competition
- The proposal would replace the Enhanced Care system introduced in 2021, which eliminated most injury lawsuits in favor of no-fault benefits
- The Conservative plan aims to restore injured crash victims' access to the courts while introducing private competition alongside ICBC's public insurance
- Premier David Eby and union leaders oppose the plan, warning that returning to injury litigation would increase costs for drivers
- Voters will decide on the proposal during the Oct. 24 provincial election
Private auto insurance competition has emerged as an option in a proposed overhaul of British Columbia’s no-fault system during an election campaign marked by Conservative leadership turmoil.
Lorne Doerkson, interim leader of the B.C. Conservatives, outlined the proposal in a Sept. 29 letter to insurance and legal industry representatives. MoveUP, the union representing ICBC workers, published the letter on Oct. 6.
“Everything’s on the table, including opening auto insurance to private competition,” Doerkson wrote.
The move comes as Doerkson seeks to introduce himself to the majority of voters on the provincial stage. He became interim leader on Sept. 20 after Kerry-Lynne Findlay resigned following weeks of caucus defections, expulsions and internal disputes.
During her short tenure, Findlay had expelled former leader John Rustad, former interim leader Trevor Halford and MLA Claire Rattée. Doerkson brought all three back into caucus, along with Linda Hepner and Scott McInnis, as he moved to reunite the party before an election.
Premier David Eby called the snap election on Sept. 22, two years before the next scheduled vote. British Columbians will vote on Oct. 24.
The Conservatives then faced questions about whether Doerkson could remain leader if elected premier. Party officials said they would pursue the changes needed to keep him in charge. Rustad subsequently announced he would not seek re-election.
The insurance proposal would reverse a major reform introduced by Eby’s governing New Democrats.
The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia is the province’s public auto insurer. Based in North Vancouver, ICBC provides mandatory basic insurance. Private insurers already sell optional coverage.
Enhanced Care took effect in 2021, replacing most injury lawsuits with benefits provided regardless of fault. The NDP government introduced the system to reduce premiums and legal costs while increasing care benefits.
Doerkson’s letter proposed legislation during a Conservative government’s first year to replace that system with a hybrid model and restore injured crash victims’ access to the courts.
Eby and MoveUP president Annette Toth have opposed the proposal, warning that a return to injury litigation would increase costs for drivers. The Conservatives disputed those warnings in an Oct. 6 statement, pledging affordable insurance and better support for seriously injured people.
