Blog

Is The BC Utilities Commission Independent? (Revised) December 16, 2020.

A summary of how the BC government has stripped the BC Utilities Commission of its authority to set rates for BC Hydro and compulsory auto insurance. Directives last revised 25 March 2022.

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Responsible Vehicle Owners Press-Ganged to Keep Good Ship British Columbia Fiscally Afloat. 3 June 2014

How the government relies on ICBC's Optional insurance to generate excess profits. 3 June 2014.

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Accounting Rules Over-state Government Revenue on Actual Cash Basis 21 September 2016

Canadian public sector accounting rules treat the net income of self-supporting Crown corporations provincial revenue, even though the actual cash transferred can be significantly less, or zero. 21 September 2016

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The Cost of Surplus IPP Power 6 October 2016

An attempt to estimate the net cost to BC Hydro by purchasing power from independant power producers. 6 October 2016.

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The Implications of ICBCs 2016 Rate Changes on Its Capital Reserves 31 August 2016

Possible negative implications of ICBCs 2016 rate changes on its Basic and Optional capital reserves. 31 August 2016.

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Is BC Hydro Acting More Like a Commercial Power Utility? 15 August 2016

Comparing BC Hydro's finances with other power utilities. 15 August 2016.

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Government Financial Benefit from ICBC 30 March 2016

A short survey of the financial benefits the goverment receives from ICBC. 30 March 2016.

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How Much Do Electricity Consumers Owe BC Hydro? 29 July 2016

Deferral accounting assumes that cost over-runs are loans to customers; how much do we owe BC Hydro? 29 July 2016. 

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Basic Insurance Part 7 Benefits 2 April 2016

Part 7 Benefits of ICBCs Basic insurance coverage include medical rehabilitation, wage loss, home care and death benefits; the maximum levels have not been increased since 1991. 2 April 2016.

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Impact on ICBC Bodily Injury Claims Costs of Proposed Civil Rules Tariff Changes 2 April 2016

This paper discusses how the 2016 proposed changes to the civil court rules tariff may increase Basic insurance costs. 2 April 2016.

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Caps on Pain and Suffering Awards 26 July 2016

The following provides a source of selected sources for further research on the issue of caps on non-pecuniary (pain and suffering) damage awards for vehicle insurance claims. 26 July 2016.

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The Greying of ICBCs Policyholders 22 August 2016

What are the implications of the aging demographic of ICBC policyholders on the future price of auto insurance? 22 August 2016.

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The Recent Growth in ICBC Claims Costs 30 July 2016

The causes and effects of the recent increase in ICBC's claim costs are reviewed. 30 July 2016.

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ICBC's Declining Capital Reserve Levels 30 July 2016

ICBCs First Quarter 2016 financial results confirm that rising claims costs and declining investment income are rapidly reducing its capital reserves, which are required to pay outstanding claims. 30 July 2016.

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ICBC Facing Severe Financial Pressure 30 July 2016

ICBC's poor 2015 financial results should be of concern to the government and to policyholders. 30 July 2016.

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"Politics and Public Automobile Insurance in BC 1970-2010." BC Studies, Summer 2013.

This article, published by BC Studies in 2013, focuses on the political and financial relationship between the publicly-owned ICBC and the provincial government from 1970 to 2010.

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