"The Alberta Insurance Reform Implementation Committee consists of lawyers, politicians, insurance industry representatives and bureaucrats", said Mr. Bruce Cran, national secretary of CAC. "This is the same gang responsible for problems with auto insurance in the first place".

A real surprise is that the CEO of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, Canada's largest public auto insurance company, is a member of this secret Alberta Committee. "Why are ICBC paid staff working side by side with private auto insurers to implement solutions in Alberta that are to the detriment of consumers in that province", said Mr. Cran.

"We have a hard time understanding why the head of the public auto insurance company in British Columbia is in bed with the Alberta Government and private insurers trying to fix problems in Alberta", said Mr. Cran. "ICBC is a public insurer and its time and resources should be focused on serving the interests of the people of British Columbia".

"If ICBC's presence in Alberta meant that the Government of Alberta is planning on implementing public auto in that province that would be good news for Alberta consumers", said Mr. Cran. "Our Association's study of auto insurance rates shows that Alberta rates would be much lower under a public auto system. For example, rates in Lloydminster, Alberta are up to 500% higher than right across the street in Lloydminster, Saskatchewan". (See LLoydminster Comparison at www.cacbc.com)

It appears more probable that ICBC is getting information from Alberta about how to implement private auto insurance practises in British Columbia. Recently, as part of Alberta-like rating practises, ICBC targeted 5,000 customers under its optional coverage to discriminate against these drivers irrespective of their driving records. "We want to hear from consumers in Alberta and British Columbia who have been treated unfairly by auto insurers", said Mr. Cran. Consumers can tell their auto insurance horror stories by going to www.cacbc.com and clicking on the auto icon.

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For further information: Bruce Cran, (604) 454-7827