FORSETH – Isn’t ICBC supposed to be hands off from govt interference?

TODAY, IN A MEDIA RELEASE, ICBC announced … $110 rebates now on their way to customers

ICBC has started delivering 3.7 million rebates of $110 to eligible customers. The rebates total $410 million and apply to all personal and commercial customers who had an active eligible Basic insurance policy in January 2025.

ICBC is under the direct control of the provincial government, and they always seem glad to take credit when things are going well.  That of course allows for the government to interfere, in its operation, for their own political benefit. Not so much a few years back, however, when the only thing people could talk about, in reference to ICBC, was that it was a  ‘dumpster fire’.

I had assumed that ICBC, while under the umbrella of our provincial government, was technically to be hands off from government interference.  I was wrong!

According to the BC Utilities Commission (BCUC):
‘ICBC is a provincial Crown corporation established and owned by the BC government. The BC government may direct ICBC and/or the BCUC to perform certain tasks related to basic automobile insurance. These directives can be issued to the BCUC through special directions or Orders in Council (OIC), on specific actions we must take when regulating ICBC.’

Note the highlighted line, ‘… government may direct ICBC and/or the BCUC to perform certain tasks related to basic automobile insurance‘.

That leaves things wide open for the government to do anything it wants to make itself look good — and to take the credit — as this quote (from Garry Begg, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General) from today’s ICBC news release, shows:

“As a result of prudent fiscal management and the strong financial position of ICBC, we have another opportunity to put money back into the pockets of ratepayers,” said Garry Begg, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General. “This rebate is just one small way for ICBC to give back to its customers as we all navigate global economic uncertainty and increased costs in the face of unjustified tariffs.”

What’s with this “we have the opportunity” business?  Is ICBC running the show – or is Minister Begg in charge of daily operations?

Well, I guess, given that the provincial government bailed on their promised $1,000 rebate cheque, they had to have something to play Santa Claus with, hence today’s news that the cheque is in the mail.

The other thing is it will provide a diversion from all the negative news regarding Bill 7, that’s been making headlines for the past week and a half.  One example was in the Times Colonist which headlined their editorial: “Government’s Bill 7 is a disgraceful overreach”.

So, we have a promised $1,000 rebate cheque.

Actually delivered? A $110 ICBC rebate.

Sorry, Premier Eby — that’s not even close — it’s little more than a pathetic attempt at sleight of hand.

And for those with the least amount of household income, for whom that $1,000 ‘grocery rebate cheque’ would have helped immensely, it does absolutely nothing as many likely do not have an active basic insurance policy.

So, Premier Eby … thanks for nothing.

Alan Forseth is a Kamloops resident. For 40 years he has been active, in a number of capacities, in local, provincial and federal politics, including running as a candidate for the BC Reform Party in the 1996 provincial election. He is secretary of the Conservative Party of B.C. He blogs at Thoughts on BC Politics and More.