NDP: Ontarians need Ford to step up and lower auto insurance rates

Savings from less driving and fewer accidents should benefit drivers, not just insurance companies

QUEEN’S PARK — Doug Ford’s sympathy won’t help Ontario drivers pay their bills, said the Official Opposition NDP’s Auto Insurance critic Tom Rakocevic and Brampton North NDP MPP Kevin Yarde during Question Period today.

“Every day Ontarians are grappling with the fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic, and struggling to pay the bills,” said Rakocevic. “Major auto insurers have admitted that driving and accidents are down – in Toronto alone accidents are down by 74 percent. But rather than mandate an across the board rate reduction for all drivers during COVID-19, the Ford government is leaving drivers to go it alone and haggle with their insurers.”

“The government regulator is a month late in approving quarterly auto insurance rates,” Yarde noted. “Some have suggested that the government is delaying, because they plan to announce another auto insurance rate increase, even though accidents and claims are way down during COVID-19. In fact, we have already heard from some drivers that their rates are going up.”

Doug Ford and his government have expressed sympathy to drivers, saying they hoped insurers would lower premiums. But, the Ford government has the power to act on behalf of Ontarians and mandate lower rates. Instead, they have continued to sign off on auto insurance rate hikes, despite a considerable drop in auto accidents across the province.

“Drivers don’t need the Premier’s sympathy, “added Rakocevic. “They need action. Will the government finally take action and cut rates for all drivers during this crisis?”

The Ford government did not commit to taking any action at all.