New Brunswick considers rolling its Consumer Advocate for Insurance into a broader utilities regulatory framework

New Brunswick is considering the possibility of rolling its Consumer Advocate for Insurance into a broader utilities regulatory framework.
A brief discussion of the possibility is included in a July 7, 2011 ‘Status Report’ on the province’s current review of New Brunswick legislative officers.
In May 2011, the province asked former ombudsman and Child and Youth Advocate Bernard Richard to find ways to enhance the efficiency, effectiveness and accountability of eight legislative officers – including the Consumer Advocate for Insurance – without “impairing” their independence.
Richard’s status report notes no other Canadian jurisdiction has a Consumer Advocate for Insurance under the auspices of the legislative assembly. “However, other jurisdictions do have consumer advocacy functions as part of their broader utilities regulation infrastructure.”
In May, the New Brunswick Energy Commission recommended the province adopt a more expansive and rigorous utilities regulatory framework. Such a framework would include the oversight of energy rates, insurance rates, water rates and property tax assessment appeals.
“There may be a sound argument for folding the Consumer Advocate for Insurance role into the wider advocacy function within such an expanded public utilities body,” the status report notes. “However, before such a conclusion is reached, more information needs to be gathered about the advocacy arrangements in other jurisdictions.”