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MPI playing politics with poll question: Tories

By: Larry Kusch

9/02/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 32

MANITOBA Public Insurance is being accused of spending ratepayer funds to take the political pulse of the province on behalf of its NDP masters.

In a survey being carried out on its behalf, MPI is asking 800 Manitobans whether they think the province is "going in the right direction" or whether things "have gotten off on the wrong track."

The question is tacked on to a large survey asking Manitobans their opinion about safe driving, auto theft and other issues. An MPI spokesman said Monday the Crown corporation has asked the question in surveys since 2000.

But Mavis Taillieu, the Progressive Conservative party's MPI critic, wonders what possible benefit the auto insurer and driver's licence issuer could gain from such a question.

"I definitely think they're crossing the line here," the Morris MLA said, adding that MPI ratepayers shouldn't foot the bill for what appears to be a politically motivated question.

"To me, that is the NDP getting polling done for nothing," Taillieu charged.

A government spokeswoman said Monday the province has no involvement in MPI's surveys. "We had nothing to do with the questions. These are questions that MPI had decided on. So the rationale for the question would have to go to MPI. There was no political motive in it," she said.

Brian Smiley, an MPI spokesman, said the Crown corporation asks the question to help provide a "context" for the results of other questions it asks in its polling.

Smiley said the results of the poll are only provided to managers, staff and the corporation's board of directors. MPI board members are appointed by the provincial government. Included among them is Daryl Reid, the Transcona NDP MLA, according to the Crown corporation's website.

The poll, one of four surveys MPI commissions annually, is being carried out by Prairie Research Associates. It's costing the Crown corporation $20,000. Meanwhile, a local pollster said Monday the question at issue is atypical for a company asking clients or the public about its products or services.

"I'm not sure why they would ask about the overall sentiment of the community," Probe Research Inc. president Scott MacKay said.

Questions tracking public contentment are often asked by polling firms trying to get a sense of the mood in advance of an election, MacKay said.

"They generally correlate very strongly to voting intentions. That is, those who say the country or province is on the wrong track... are more inclined to support opposition parties," he said. "So it does seem a little strange that they would ask that question."

larry.kusch@freepress.mb.ca

 

Question asked of MPI customers:

"Now I would like you to think about things in Manitoba in general and not just about Manitoba Public Insurance in particular. Would you say that things in Manitoba are generally going in the right direction, or do you feel things have gotten off on the wrong track? (Would you say you feel that is strongly or somewhat the case?) (PROMPT: We are asking about your impression of things generally in Manitoba.)"

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 9, 2010 A3

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32 Commentscomment icon

@gmarantz
Healthy competition would mean that private insurance companies would not have been able to over charge you in the first place. If one company is over charging you, you go to the next one. If you feel that all the companies are over charging you, you can (A) start your own company and reap the rewards, (B) buy shares in the insurance industry and enjoy healthy dividends. Hence the basics of a free-market economy, an idea that has worked since the beginning of time, and only fails when governments decide to manipulate it.

You are correct about health care. 11 weeks for a knee replacement is unacceptable. If I want to pay to have mine done sooner, I should be able to do so without crossing international borders. I still believe in public health care for disadvantaged children and people born disabled, but not for otherwise healthy adults. My views of the world may seem cold and harsh to you, you have been trained to be sympathetic to all things "good." I could write a very long, complicated post explaining my views and trying to explain how your mind has been corrupted by the liberal ideologies force fed to you every day. But that would be a waste of my time, I think you may be too far gone. You have been convinced that socialism and the redistribution of wealth are going to save the world. Your mind is too full of "do gooder charm" to understand the consequences of your hand-outs. Someday you may realize that every hand-out is also a kick in the knee.

"anyone who thinks private insurance, whose bottom line is making the most profit it can, are living in an alternate universe"

And you think MPIC is any different?? Wow that HUGE rebate they give out every year (after they over charge). 13 million wasted on enhanced drivers licenses. Purchasing real estate. And what's the Marilyn's salary? $200k minimum. MPI is run like a private company but it is PUBLIC money!!

MPIC is a controlling, bloated, insidious corporation. The line was crossed when immobilizers were made mandatory. This isn't auto insurance any more...I don't even know what to call this "thing". What about motorcycles?? Ahh the perceived high risk motorcycles. Did you know can put a Honda Goldwing on the road for around $500 in Alberta? That's a $25,000 k bike remember. In MB, the same bike is $2500. Rip off.

I, like many have had non-government and have "seen the light". The light is freedom of choice. If I don't like my insurance, I switch.

For the record, I just called my current Alberta insurance broker today. My TWO vehicles, one newer truck and '90s car, cost me $1614 for BOTH. Fully insured, 2 mil liability, $250/500 deductable. With MPI, from their website, I would pay $2100 (with full discount and $500 deduct).
Hmmm...that's a difference of $486 in MY pocket, not theirs. Oh wait, MPI gives out those wonderful rebate cheques!! Aren't they generous?
Do the math.

As others have said, MPI is a good idea gone bad. REALLY BAD

Be thankful for MPI. When has a private insurance company given a refund if their funds are higher than they project they will need. Anyone who thinks private insurance, whose bottom line is making the most profit it can, are living in an alternate universe. Of course anyone with a conservative bent wants private business to run everything. They'd privatize health care if they could get away with it.

All these people who suggest privatization as a solution to our MPI woes; I wonder what exactly are you suggesting? Ok....lets say we privatize. Do we go with Tort law or No Fault...very big difference.

The true measure of an insurance policy is are you in fact insured and do you have the legal recourse to enforce your rights if you disagree with the company?

You get neither under No Fault Insurance; private or public. Have a nice life.

BC and AB. Ones public ones private. I have been insured in BC and AB and both are tort law(legal recourse, imagine that) and both are cheaper than MB. MB is Public No Fault Insurance and costs more for some reason.

The problem is not public insurance; the problem is No-Fault Insurance.

MTS? Last time I checked, MTS is a publicly traded company and has been since it was privatized and rightfully so. Just as MPI should be so there is competition in this province. Phone long distance rates prior to MTS being privatized were insane, after it was privatized and they were forced to compete in the marketplace, rates dropped substantially. the winner being the public. Granted this of how many NDP cronies would lose their cushy government union jobs if MPI was privatized.

This is just typical NDP. Granted the Conservatives likely wouldn't do much better. This province is pathetic. If it weren't for transfer payments from the Federal Government there'd be a major crises, because they wouldn't be able to pay out the welfare that makes so much of this province go around. There's no real industry or business compared to well pretty well every other major city in North America; no wonder so many bright young educated Manitobans leave for greener pastures OR stay here and get taxed to death, so that those who are too lazy to work can get a cheque for doing nothing! Wow, sounds like a great idea.

MPI is simply a legalized government theft ring. Completely run by the government. Another cash cow. Meanwhile telling people how great they are. People should demand a choice and then see how great MPIC would be. lived in Manitoba for 30 years and moved to Alberta, I pay 1400/yr to insure two vehicles in Alberta. The same coverage as taken from MPI's website would be $2500+ if I lived in Manitoba. Know many people that have worked there and all say the same thing. Just another way of the goverment to rip off the common folk.

Private auto insurance might offer better rates sometimes, but try getting insurance with any private company after you've had an accident, or if you're under 18. It won't happen. MPI is still the best thing that ever happened to the insurance industry in this province. Plus, you always have the option of buying additional insurance from a private insurer if you want extra coverage.

Steve

MPI, MTS, our Gov't and many other Crown Corp are nothing more than rip off artist.
MPI: On your first mishap be it minor one, they ding you $200 on your licence as well as you have to pay your deductable. A second claim within a year it's goes up to $400, then $800, $1200.

If somebody hits your park car and you have to pay your deductable.

If somebody breaks into your car, but not stolen, you pay your deductable.

If your immobilizer dies after 2 years, you have to pay to have it replaced and the list goes on and on.

What a joke and now they want to play politics to.

It's our money they are throwing away instead of mailing us a refund check and/or reducing our rates.

MPI needs to take a look into their dealings and open up their books for all of us to see.

MTS and the other Crown Corp are no better. They just keep nickel and diming us and they need to the same as I stated above.

Re: Pentax99

Well Said.

MPI is a good idea gone bad. When did it go bad? When a PC Government gave them absolute power in 1994. NoFault Insurance. AKA No rights for the injured. Now the PCs play the opposition but the only thing they are opposed to is their lack of power. The PCs dont care about the corruption at MPI. They created it and they want to control it not change it.

In Manitoba with MPI, good drivers subsidize the rates of poor drivers. People who visit Manitoba from other provinces and countries often ask why Manitoba drivers are so rude and aggressive. There has been some speculation that the poor driving habits of some Manitobans is directly related to our no fault insurance that does not go far enough in punishing and preventing poor driving habits.

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