Car insurance shouldn’t be rising

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/04/2023 (1128 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Inflation continues to stretch everyone’s home budget every month. Life is getting more expensive as grocery prices go up every trip to the store and gas prices seem to fluctuate on a whim. On top of that, many utility bills, like your Manitoba Hydro bill, have increased over the last year because of rate hikes directed by the Progressive Conservative government.

The latest monthly expense to go up is your Autopac bill. As of April 1, Manitoba Public Insurance rates have increased once again, despite a year of less people on the roads during the COVID-19 pandemic. In its latest ruling, the Public Utilities Board indicated it has serious concerns about MPI and that rates would be going up, not down, as was originally planned.

Part of the concern that the PUB had is the ballooning cost of Project Nova, a planned IT and online services upgrade at MPI. It was recently revealed that Project Nova has fallen years behind schedule and is almost $200 million over budget -— and counting. This is due to mismanagement at MPI, led by the PCs’ hand-picked board and CEO, who have been directed by the government every step of the way.

After bringing in two untendered, private consultants to try to get the project back on track, the Stefanson government now says there will be a nine-month review of MPI — a review that conveniently won’t be complete until after the next provincial election. Its obvious the government is desperately trying to buy time and shift blame for this boondoggle.

Our Manitoba NDP wants to see technological modernization of MPI that allows for a more convenient online experience for customers, but not this way. Rate payers shouldn’t be on the hook for PC mismanagement.

I have been demanding that the Stefanson government call a Crown corporations committee meeting in the Manitoba Legislature so we can get answers as to why costs for Project Nova are so over-budget. You and I deserve to know why rates are going up, and how the government could let this project get so out of control. I will continue to do everything I can to seek transparency between the government and our Crowncorporations.

If you would like to speak further about this issue or other issues affecting Northeast Winnipeg and Concordia, my office can be reached at 106-1111 Munroe Ave., by email at concordia1@yourmanitoba.ca, or by phone at 204-654-1857