Government interference in MPI is costing you

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 29/10/2021 (1458 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba drivers are losing out on cheaper car insurance.

This October, the NDP got back into the legislature and revealed to all Manitoba drivers that their Autopac should have been much cheaper this year, but the Progressive Conservative government is instead using the dollars you pay for insurance to pay for things that are the responsibility of the Manitoba government.

Owing to a significant reduction in the number of insurance claim payouts throughout the pandemic, Manitoba Public Insurance saw a sizeable increase in its overall revenues last year.

Surplus funds such as these would normally be returned to Manitobans in the form of rebates or lowered Autopac premiums but the government instead decided to use these funds to pay down MPI’s driver and vehicle licensing costs.

Driver and vehicle licensing is a non-insurance service MPI delivers on behalf of the government.

Government funding for driver and vehicle licensing under the PCs has fallen short of its cost. Rather than address the deficit, the PC government agreed to a plan that uses $113  million in MPI revenue — ratepayers’ money — to cover the shortfall.

It’s simple — when the PC government interferes in our Crown Corporations, it always costs Manitobans more.

The plan to divert excess revenue was approved by Crown Services Minister Jeff Wharton earlier this year, but not disclosed.

As a result, Manitobans have lost out on lower Autopac rates and hundreds of dollars in rebates as a result. Given the economic challenges Manitobans are facing right now, why does the PC government think it makes sense to take more money away from Manitobans?

The PC government had an obligation to tell Manitoba drivers about this diversion of revenue. Instead they went ahead and transferred millions before ratepayers knew.

Manitobans are concerned that the current government is trying to conceal what is going on. Instead of working to make life affordable, this government is increasing the costs of living for Manitobans — all behind closed doors.

If you would like to share your thoughts about how the PC government is costing you more for MPI or Hydro, or if you have any other questions or concerns, please reach out to my office at adrien.sala@yourmanitoba.ca, or 204-792-8779.