Nova Scotia opposition MLAs call for auto rate decreases

Fresh on the heels of a government-directed, 13.5% auto insurance rate decrease in New Brunswick, opposition MLAs in Nova Scotia are calling on the government in Nova Scotia to lower the province’s auto insurance rates, according to The Daily News in Halifax.
The newly-elected New Brunswick government of Premier Shawn Graham negotiated the rate decrease with the province’s insurance industry after saying it would seek “the elimination of existing [auto insurance-related] territories and the elimination of discrimination based on gender when evaluating consumer risk.”
The New Brunswick government recently announced it had secured the elimination of the existing territories, as well as a 13.5% decrease in the province’s auto rates. During the provincial election in New Brunswick, at least one Liberal candidate discussed introducing a public auto system if the province’s auto insurance rates did not come down.
Halifax Clayton Park Liberal MLA Diana Whalen said Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald should demand similar rate decreases from the province’s insurance industry.
“It’s a clear challenge to this province and to our Conservative government to get with it,” The Daily News quoted Whalen as saying. “The government has a responsibility to go to bat for the people of this province.”
The Daily News reported that Nova Scotia is not currently negotiating with the industry. The paper noted that Michael Baker, the minister responsible for insurance, told the legislature last month most drivers in this province pay affordable premiums in “a very good system.”
Nova Scotia drivers pay an average of Cdn$822 for auto insurance, according to The Daily News, citing Doug Murphy, the province’s superintendent of insurance.