What’s New: In Brief (November 23, 2006)

Almost one in three Canadians fail to shred their personal documents before throwing them in the garbage, indicating they are not taking measures to avoid identity theft, according to online research conducted by Royal & SunAlliance (RSA).
The RSA survey found people in British Columbia and Quebec appeared to be most concerned about identity theft, whereas people in the prairies and Atlantic Canada showed the least concern.
Quebeckers were the most likely to pass personal documents through the shredder, while those in Ontario seemed the least likely, the research showed.
Many insurance companies are offering identity theft protection, which may include telephone assistance, expense coverage, financial loss coverage and loss of income coverage.

Operation Red Nose service has expanded to include Moncton, New Brunswick under the sponsorship of the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC).
IBC said in a press release that it has contributed Cdn$60,000 to the Maritime program which offers a free designated driver service throughout the holiday season as well as $200,000 to a marketing campaign.
Last year, about 7,400 impaired drivers were driven home with the help of 6,400 volunteers.