Nelson Bennett Government Use of ICBC and BC Hydro Funds
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Nelson Bennett's 28 December 2022 article in Business in Vancouver.
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New Bill Rebate Further Polticizes BC Hydro's Finances
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By ordering the Utilities Commission to approve BC Hydro’s new rebate regulatory account the government continues to substitute political imperatives for the economic-based rate setting oversight provided by the once independent regulator.
Finance Minister Confuses Expaination of Cost-of-Living Measures
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Finance Minister Selina Robinson mixed fiscal years and conflated taxpayers and ratepayers in explaining the funding of new measures.
Estimating the Cost of the Newly Announced BC Hydro Rebate
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Premier Eby announced a credit/rebate but no total cost or funding plan was make public. This paper provides an estimate, and discusses two funding approaches.
Accounting Rules Overstate Province's 2021/22 Revenue: On a Cash Basis the Surplus is Really a Deficit
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National public sector accountig rules require that profits or losses from self-supporting Crown corporations be caunted as government revenue, even if no cash is transferred. The net income from BC Hydro and ICBC is not transferred and distorts the true cash picture of the government's finances.
Rushed Bid to Host 2030 Olympics Heavy on Symbolism But Light on Details and Costs.
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Three recent media comments or articles concerning the attempt to gain public financial support for a bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympics. See also
July 15: Vancouver 2030 Winter Olympics bid on thin ice: Deputy city manager’s report
July 9: Mayor violated civic code of conduct with misleading Olympic bid Tweets: integrity commissioner
July 9: Another Vancouver Olympics in 2030 would cost taxpayers at least $1 billion, but many costs hidden or unknown
July 7: B.C. NDP sport minister’s letter demands answers about Vancouver 2030 Olympics bid
June 29: Olympics bid inspection trio revealed
June 15: Vancouver 2030 bid podium, so far: No cost estimates, no provincial support, no referendum
June 14: The IOC’s “democracy deficit”: Canadian Olympic officials tell partners to avoid a Vancouver 2030 referendum in local election year
May 25: Sneak peek at the Vancouver 2030 Winter Olympics bid’s unlikely venues: Sun Peaks, Agrodome and Hastings Racecourse
May 7: Vancouver 2030 bid team big on hopes, vague on specifics
May 3: IOC keeps Vancouver visit under wraps, as delegation ponders 2030 Winter Games sites
March 26: Vancouver mayoral candidate proposes 2030 Olympic bid plebiscite
Dec. 12: Analysis: Vancouver 2030 Olympics bid — Who really wants it?
Historical Memory and the New Royal British Columbia Museum
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This Commentary discusses the new Royal BC Museum in light of Dr. Robin Fisher's distinction between history and historical memory. Related see
Plan to Collect Data and Report on Race Raises Questions
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A commentary of the proposed Anti-Racism Data Act reviews a number of issues, including the presumption of systemic racism in provincial public bodies.
Government Reneges on Promise to Allow BC Hydro's Regulator Full Independence
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A new cabinet order negates the previous commitment to restore full independence to the BC Utilities Commission to regulate BC Hydro. Will the auditor general again qualify the government's financial statements?
ICBC and BC Hydro Profits Distort Government Deficit
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National accounting standards require that the net income of ICBC and BC Hydro be reported as government revenue. As no actual cash is transferred from thes two Crowns this distorts understates the size of the government's planned operating deficits for the current and next three years.
Claims of Systemic Racism in Policing and Health Care: A Review of the Evidence.
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The sponsors of two reports have claimed that the reports justify claims of systemic racism, but is this true?
British Columbia's Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2005 to 2019.
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Occasional Paper No.78 takes a closer look at the growth of provincial GHG emisssions in the context of other larger provinces, population growth and economic growth.
Providing BC Hydro's Regulator with Broader Discretion in Pricing Electricity is Highly Problematic.
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Should the BC Utilities Commission be broadened to address social policy issues? This paper says this would be highly problematic.
Manitoba Government Arbitrarily Raises Manitoba Hydro Rates by 2.5 Per Cent
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The government of Manitoba has decided to increase Manitoba Hydro rates by 2.5% per year for the next three years. This has resulted in less transparency and accountibility.
Government Blocks Possible Reduction in BC Hydro's Excessive Profits
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A recent cabinet order has blocked any attempt by the BC Utilities Commission to lower BC Hydro's excessive profits. This is another example of the government's manipulation of the utility and the BC Utilities Commission.
Manitoba Joins Quebec in Muzzling Hydro Regulator
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The Manitoba government has sidelined the province's regulator of Manitoba Hydro, and legislated a 2.9% rate increase for the coming year. This action mirrors that of Quebec, which also "simplified" rate setting by eliminating the regulator for five years. Is there a trend?
BC Utilities Commission Bankrolls New Intervener Group While Increasing Its Own Staff
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In a new twist the BC Utilities Commission is creating and funding an intervener group to represent Residential ratepayers, at a time when its own analysticl staff has greatly ncreased. This paper reviews these developments, and suggests that the BCUC should improve its own accountability.
Government Should Release the Half Year Results of BC Hydro and ICBC
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The government has delayed the release of its second quarter financial report, including the reports for BC Hydro and ICBC. As the reports are for actual revenue and expenditure information the government should allow these public corporations to publicly file their reports.
Dermod Travis
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We lost an important advocate for ethical government. Here is the Times Colonist obit.; https://www.timescolonist.com/news/local/integrity-b-c-executive-director-dies-at-59-he-declined-liver-transplant-1.24144797
Another Perspective on the Government's Budget Surplus
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Excluding the net income (or loss) from BC Hydro and ICBC from the government's revenue results in a significant difference in the budgeted and planned surpluses for 2020/21 and the next two years.
Fact Check: ICBC Losses Have Not Displaced Spending on Other Programs
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Finance Minister Carole James suggested that the losses at ICBC have displaced government spending on other programs. This is not correct.
Should Ratepayers Subsidize the Electrification of Oil and Gas Production?
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This Commentary reviews the government's assumption that B.C. Hydro ratepayers will subsidize the cost of electrifying the production of oil and gas in the noeth east reagion. It is a sudsidy because the cost is greater than the anticipated revenue. The social benefit of reduced carbon emissions should be paid by the government, not the ratepayers.
Auditor General Removes Qualification on B.C. Hydro Accounting.
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Auditor General Carol Bellringer has accepted the government's pledge to fully restore the B.C. Utilities Commission's authority to regulate B.C. Hydro and removed that part of her qualification on the government's 2018/19 financial statements.
Ontario Legislative Committee Report Calls for More Transparency.
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This Commentary reviews the recent report by the special committee of the Ontario legislature on financial transparency. The committee was struck to examine how the previous Liberal government ignored public sector accounting standards to lower electricity rates while still claiming to balance the 2017/18 budget.
Government Extracts $70 Million from Hard-Pressed ICBC Policyholders.
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This commentary explores how the government receives $70 million annually in driver license fees while ICBC's Basic policyholders must pay the cost as part of their annual insurance. The provincial fee scheme appears contrary to a 1998 Supreme Court of Canada decision respecting fees versus taxes. The government should correct this double payment.
New B.C. Hydro Financing Plan and More Authority for the BCUC Announced.
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This commentary reviews the new five-year rates plan for B.C. Hydro, as well as the government's plan to restore the B.C. Utilities Commission's authority to regulate the public utility.
Government Requires Money-Losing ICBC to Fund More Traffic Enforcement
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The government has directed ICBC to fund more traffic enforcement, but its more of a restoration. And why is the government not funding more police traffic enforcement instead of asking over-burdened policyholders to do it?
Government Q2 Forecast Understates Cash Surplus
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The inclusion of the net income of BC Hydro and the net loss of ICBC complicates the forecast of the surplus.
Ontario Seeks to Improve Financial Transparency and Accountability.
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A committee of the Ontario legislature is holding hearings into how the previous Liberal government attempted to ignore the accounting rules to make the government books appear than was the case. What lessons might the B.C. government learn from this review?
Rate Suppression and Debt Transformation: The Political Use of BC Hydro, 2008 to 2014.
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In 2016 BC Studies published my article on how the Liberal government manipulated the finances of BC Hydro to keep the annual profits and dividends high while suppressing the increase in electricity rates: https://ojs.library.ubc.ca/index.php/bcstudies/article/view/187787/186354
Senior Officials Review of BC Hydro Rate Options: Will New or Old Thinking Prevail?
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This paper explores the options available to the senior official committee appointed to develop recommendations for a new rates plan for B.C. Hydro. Will the committee adopt the new approach of restoring integrity to financial management, or continue with the old practice of abusing the deferral accounts?
Ontario Government Agrees that Hydro Deferral Accounting Inappropriate. September 21, 2018.
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The Ontario government has moved to clean-up certain accounting practices, including the financing of the "Fair Hydro" deferrals. The accounting adjustment of the electricity deferrals increased 2018/19 expenditures by $2,4 billion.
NDP Perpetuates Liberal Practices Regarding ICBC: Keeps Watchdog Confined. September 4, 2018.
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This paper discusses the fact that the NDP government is using cabinet orders to control ICBC's finances and keep the B.C. Utilities Commission confined. These were the tactics used by the previous government to avoid public oversight.
Goverment Begins Restoring Financial Integrity: What's Next for B.C. Hydro's Books? August 31, 2018
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This paper provides an overview of why the government set aside $950 million for the 2017/18 fiscal year to begin to fix the financial troubles at B.C. Hydro. the restoration of proper accounting standards at the public power utility presents certain financial problems for the government.
Political Meddling Blamed for Ontario's High Electricity Rates. May 18, 2018.
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Barrie McKenna in the Globe and Mail political meddling for causing the high price of electricity in Ontario; https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/commentary/article-blame-political-meddling-not-ceo-pay-for-ontarios-dysfunctional/
Commentary: Populist Promises and the Cost of Electrictiy. May 18, 2018
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The three main politic parties in Ontario are promising to reduce electricity prices, but are being vague as to what this will cost. It's time for the voters to become educated consumers.
Commentary on Matthew McClearn Article on Hydro Accounting in Ontario. April 22, 2018.
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McClearn's article in the Globe and Mail provides a useful summary of many of the issues involved in the accounting dispute between the ontario auditor general and the government. Similar issues exist in British Columbia.
Subsidizing Seniors: ICBC and BC Ferries. April 9, 2018.
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The recent announcement of an increase in the fare subsidy for seniors on the BC Ferries prompted me to review an earlier estimate on the cost of the 25% seniors' subsidy at ICBC's Basic insurance. If the government funded the sudsidy it would relieve some of the pressure on Basic rates.
Inappropriate Regulatory Accounting: Ontario and BC Discussion of Auditors' Opposition. March 30, 2018
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This 'Commentary' paper reviews the Ontario and BC public accounts committee discussion of the oppositin by the two auditors general of the application of reguatory accounting, and the impact to the governments' financial statements.
BC Utilities Commission Independence: Is the Government Listening? March 16, 2018.
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Auditor General Carol Bellringer issued a report, http://www.bcauditor.com/sites/default/files/publications/reports/FINAL_BCUC.pdf, that reminds the government that five key recommendations of the 2014 independent task force remain outstanding. In August Ms. Bellringer qualified the government's 2016/17 financial statements, in part because BC Hydro's deferral accounts were not overseen by an independent regulator. The Canadian Press provided a limited summary (http://vancouversun.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/b-c-auditor-offers-advice-on-utilities-commission-after-previous-studies/wcm/c65203d2-1811-4418-ab5b-f55f3002d5d7. DeSmog Canada's report was more comprehensive; https://www.desmog.ca/2018/03/15/auditor-general-nudges-b-c-amend-act-exempted-site-c-dam-independent-review
Accounting Treatment of ICBC's Net Loss Complicates Provincial Budget. February 17, 2018.
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The national public sector accounting rules require that ICBC's net income or loss be counted in the government's revenue. The increase in the net loss reduces revenue, but there is no change in the actual cash being transferred (which is nil). This accounting anomoly requires further review.
New South Wales Adopts Hybrid No-Fault Scheme for Auto Injury Claims. January 30, 2018.
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This paper discusses the auto injury claim models in the states of New South Wales and Victoria, and in New Zealand, with possible lessons for BC.
A One-Step Plan to Boost BC Government Accountability. January 30, 2018.
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In this article, published by the Tyee, I advocate the creation of a Financial Accountability Office as an independent officer of the legislture, modelled on the Ontario agency: https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2018/01/30/One-Step-Plan-Boost-BC-Accountability/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=300118
Politics, Not Economics, Drives Electricity Pricies in Ontario and BC. January 20, 2018
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Brady Yauch of the Consumer Policy Institute discribes how electricity pricing in Ontario is now determined by politics rather than economics. BC Hydro rates have been set by political decisions since 2012 when the governemt ordered the regulator to approve lower than required rates. https://cpi.probeinternational.org/2017/11/09/its-the-end-of-energy-regulation-in-ontario-as-we-know-it/
Auditor General Carol Bellringer Moves to Clean Up BC Hydro's Books. January 10, 2018.
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BC Auditor General Carol Bellringer is preparing to become BC Hydro's external auditor, which will put more pressure on the government to allow BC Hydro to conform to national public sector accounting standards. See Les Leyne http://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/columnists/les-leyne-watching-b-c-hydro-is-a-growth-industry-1.23137605 and Vaughn Palmer http://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/vaughn-palmer-bellringer-anxious-to-plug-into-b-c-hydros-accounts
Alberta Caps Auto Insurance Increase at 5 Percent. December 19, 2017.
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The Alberta government has limited the 2017/18 increase in the private vehicle insurance rates to 5%. It stated that the previously allowed 10% maximum increase was not inline with its affordability priority. Background and implications are provided.
Finance Minister James Plans To Fix BC Hydro's Accounting Practices. October 25, 2017.
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Andrew MacLeod of The Tyee reports that Finance Minister Carole James intends to fix BC Hydro's accounting practices, but it will take time; https://thetyee.ca/News/2017/10/25/Fixing-BC-Hydro-Accounting/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=251017
BC Auditor General Finds BC Hydro's 'Prescribed' Accounting Unacceptable. October 26, 2017.
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The Auditor General has added a new reason to qualify her opinion of the government's 2016/17 financial statements; the fact that the 'prescribed' accounting standards do not conform to the public sector accounting standards. Read more in Occasional Paper No. 44.
Will NDP End BC Hydro's 'Wild West' Accounting--The Tyee October 24 and 25, 2017.
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The Tyee published my piece which describes the Ontario Auditor General's special report on a government scheme to subsidize electricity rates, and how electricity rates are subsidized in British Columbia; https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2017/10/24/Will-NDPEnd-BC-Hydro-Wild-West-Accounting/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=241017 also Andrew MacLeod's comments from Carole James https://thetyee.ca/News/2017/10/25/Fixing-BC-Hydro-Accounting/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=251017
What Would Ontario's Auditor General Make Of BC Hydro's 'Prescribed' Accounting Standard? October 22, 2017.
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In a special report the Ontario Auditor General severely criticised that government's new regulatory deferal scheme; what would she make of the accounting practiced at BC Hydro to surpress the true cost of electricity?
Email to Auditor General Bellringer re BC Hydro Accounting, December 2, 2016.
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This email informs Auditor General Bellringer of recent developments respecting BC Hydro's accounting for future unbilled and uncollected revenue.
Ontario Auditor General Says Deferring Hydro Rate Subsidy Contrary to Accounting Principles. October 18. 2017.
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The use of deferral accounting allows debt to be transformed into and asset, a practice that the BC Lberal government abused with respect to BC Hydro's books. There are there lessons for the new NDP government in the Ontario Auditor General's recent report; http://www.auditor.on.ca/en/content/specialreports/specialreports/FairHydroPlan_en.pdf See media reaction; http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/reevely-hiding-billions-in-hydro-debt-unacceptable-ontarios-auditor-general-says and http://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/auditor-general-set-to-report-on-ontarios-25-per-cent-hydro-bill-cuts.
ICBC in Crisis -- On 'Path to Insolvency.' August 13, 2017,
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Ariticle by Geordon Omand of the Canadian Press reviews the declining financial condition of ICBC; https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/british-columbias-once-feted-public-auto-insurer-in-financial-crisis/article35978986/ The story was published by the Globe and Mail and Postmedia papers.
Ernst Young Options to Increase Auto Insurance Affordability. August 6, 2017.
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This paper reviews the Ernst Young report's options to increase the affordability of auto insurance. It questions some of the proposed cost savings and recoomends the adoption of Saskatchewan's dual Basic model.
Times Colonist "Hard Choices Ahead for ICBC." August 3, 2017.
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The Times Colonist editorial correctly blames the Liberal government for allowing ICBC's finances to rapidly deteriorate, and warns of hard choices to come; http://www.timescolonist.com/opinion/editorials/editorial-hard-choices-ahead-for-icbc-1.21569689.
The Ernst Young Report on ICBC and Early Reaction. July 25, 2017.
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After being leaked to Postmedia, the government released the July 1o, 2017 Ernst Young report on ICBC; http://www.icbc.com/about-icbc/company-info/Documents/Affordable-and-Effective-AutoInsurance-Report.pdf CKNW interviews with Minister Eby, Liberal MLA Wilkinson and Richard McCandless;http://globalnews.ca/news/3620885/icbc-considering-raising-car-insurance-premiums-by-30-per-cent/ and Vaughn Palmer's comments http://vancouversun.com/opinion/columnists/vaughn-palmer-eby-considers-safer-technology-versus-hiking-icbc-rates. Chuck Byrne's (Insurance Brokers Association) comments; http://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/ca/news/auto/report-is-great-opportunity-for-icbc-to-bring-in-reforms-74363.aspx
How Much Will It Cost to Cover the Liberals' Site C Gambling Debt? July 13, 2017.
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My article in The Tyee discusses the possible cost to BC Hydro ratepayers of either proceeding or cancelling the Site C project; https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2017/07/13/How-Much-Will-Site-C-Gambling-Debt-Cost/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=130717
Geenhouse Gas Emission Report Needs Context. July 12, 2017.
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This report provides some context about the absolute change in GHG emissions from 2005 to 2015; suggesting that a more in-depth review is required.
Impact of Massive Hydroelectric Infrastructure Projects on Rates. July 5, 2017.
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Occasional paper No. 34 reviews the likely impact of three major hydroelectric infrastructure projects on electricity rates.
Options for Financing Site C. June 24, 2017
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What impact will the Site C project, whether it proceeds or is cancelled, have on BC Hydro's operating budget, and what are the options to pay for it? Occasional Paper No. 33 provides a high-level look at these questions.
NDP Faces Financial Mess at ICBC, BC Hydro. June 16, 2017.
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Reprint of my article in today's Tyee; https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2017/06/16/NDP-Faces-Mess/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=160617
Bill Tieleman Highlights Financial Problems Facing NDP Government. June 13, 2017.
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Bill Tieleman, writing in The Tyee, highlights the financial problems facing the new NDP government. At the top of the list are BC Hydro and ICBC; https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2017/06/13/Clark-Leaves-List-for-Horgan/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=130617
Ontario Electricity Rate Suppression Plan. May 27, 2017.
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This paper reviews the recent report of the Ontario Financial Accountability Office on that government's plan to use a deferral account to surpress electricity rates. A comparison to the revenue deferral practiced by BC Hydro is also provided.
Will the Election Results End the Politicization of BC Hydro and ICBC?
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The Green party has to help restore an ethical approach to government, which will not happen by keeping the Liberals in power. A slightly revised version was printed in The Tyee on May 18, 2017; https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2017/05/18/End-BC-Hydro-ICBC-Shell-Games/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=180517
Big Rate Increases Coming for BC Hydro and ICBC -- The Tyee. May 2, 2017.
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My article in the Tyee reviews the implications of the Liberal Party's four year revenue estimates for BC Hydro and ICBC;https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2017/05/01/Rate-Increases-BC-Hydro-ICBC/?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=020517
Fact Check - Government Admits Major Rate Increases Coming for BC Hydro and ICBC. April 20, 2017.
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On April 19th finance minister de Jong stated that the coming four-year rate increase requirement for BC Hydro is 28%, and close to 70% for ICBC's Basic program. The government's rate suppression policy has postponed the financial reckoning.
Party Platforms Impact on BC Hydro and ICBC. April 14, 2016.
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This paper attempts to summarize the election platforms of the three main parties, and what they say or imply about BC Hydro and ICBC.
ICBC's Worsening Finances Require Government Action. March 24, 2017.
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The new provincial government must make the restoration of ICBC's financial health a priority, as capital reserves are now below the regulatory minimums,and rake shock looms.
Association of Major Power Consumers Submissions 2013 and 2017, March 5, 2017.
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AMPC submissions of 2013 and 2017 call for BC Hydro to moderate cost and rate increaes; http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/electricity-alternative-energy/electricity/iepr/iepr_submission-association_of_major_power_consumers_round_1.pdf and http://www.bcuc.com/Documents/Proceedings/2017/DOC_48816_C9-7_AMPC-Evidence.pdf
Ontario manipulates Electricity Prices. March 4, 2017.
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The Globe and Mail is not impressed by the Ontario government's move to reduce the cost of electricity; http://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/editorials/lower-electricity-rates-dont-fall-for-premier-wynnes-power-move/article34195391/ and http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/will-kathleen-wynnes-last-ditch-hydro-fix-just-add-to-the-mess/article34182155/ also an editorial by The National Post; http://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/national-post-view-kathleen-wynnes-liberals-bail-themselves-out-with-public-money-again
Ontario Increases Electricity Rate Subsidy. March 3, 2017
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On 2 March 2017 the Ontario government announced new measures, including a greater taxpayer-funded subsidy, to moderate the rise of electricity prices; http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/ontario-wynne-slashes-hydro-rates-residents/article34183180/
How BC Politicized Electricity Rates. March 3, 2017.
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On March 3, 2017, Policy Options published my article comparing how the governments of Ontario and BC are subsidizing electricity prices: http://policyoptions.irpp.org/magazines/march-2017/how-bc-politicized-electricity-rates/
ICBC Deficits-Question Period February 22, 2017. February 26, 2017.
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Minister Stone attempts to defend ICBC's deficit forecasts during Question Period on February 22, 2017.
Government Uses BC Hydro and ICBC to Lower Direct Debt. February 19, 2017.
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In the last five years, the government has taken some $1.95 billion in dividends from BC Hydro, or "excess' capital from ICBC, to reduce its direct operating debt requirement. Occasional Paper No. 22 explains how this happened.
Government Creates Unique Accounting System for BC Hydro. January 30, 2017.
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This paper describes how an obscure 2011 cabinet directive allows BC Hydro to apply regulatory accounting without the fundamental componet -- an independent regulator.
Buying Quebec Power a Dim Prospect or Ontarians. January 13, 2017.
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In Ontario, political decisions have driven the cost of electricity higher; http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economic-insight/buying-quebec-hydro-power-a-dim-prospect-for-ontarians/article33603621/
Principles For Economic Regulation (UK) 2011. December 18, 2016.
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This 2011 document was adopted as government policy. It contains useful detail on the principles governing the operation of public utility regulators in the UK.https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/31623/11-795-principles-for-economic-regulation.pdf
Understanding Regulation in the United Kingdom 2016. December 18, 2016.
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Martin Stanley's compendium of issues relating to regulation of public utilities in the UK; http://www.regulation.org.uk/
Tribunal Independence: In Quest of a New Model (2014). 12 December 2016.
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Rowland Harrison's 2014 article on regulatory tribunal independence in Canada from the Energy Regulation Quarterly outlines the key attributes of independnce; http://www.energyregulationquarterly.ca/articles/tribunal-independence-in-quest-of-a-new-model#sthash.NZZpf46M.NvntTDP4.dpbs
How Ontario and BC Subsidize Electricity Rates. 13 September 2016.
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A comparison of how the governments of Ontario and BC subsidize electricity rates.
Government Response to Independent Review of BC Utilities Commission. 4 February 2015.
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Justine Hunter of The Globe and Mail interviews Hon. Bill Bennett following release of the Independent Review's report on the BC Utilities Commission; http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/energy-watchdog-needs-more-independence-bc-government-told/article22791687/
BC Government Ignores Utilities Commission and Approves Site C. 11 February 2016.
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Vaughn Palmer of The Vancouver Sun reviews the history of the BC Utilities Commission and Site C; http://www.vancouversun.com/vaughn+palmer+chance+public+review+site/11714172/story.html
Report of Independent Review of the BC Utilities Commission, November 2014.
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Final report of the Independent Task Force on the BC Utilities Commission, released in early 2015. http://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/farming-natural-resources-and-industry/electricity-alternative-energy/electricity/bcuc_review_final_report_nov_14_final.pdf
BC Utilites Commission Independence and the Site C Decision. 12 January 2015
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Justine Hunter Globe and Mail reports on the government approval of Site C without reference to the BC Utilities Commission; http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/bc-ignored-calls-for-oversight-in-site-c-dam-ruling/article22422910/
BC Electric Policy Since 2002. Spring 2013.
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Article by Marjorie Griffen and John Calvert in BC Studies reviewing government policies and the impact on electricity prices; http://ojs.library.ubc.ca/index.php/bcstudies/issue/view/182282
BC Budget 2014/15 and Net Income from BC Hydro and ICBC; Vancouver Sun, 19 February 2014.
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Rob Shaw reports on the the government's dependence on the net income from BC Hydro and ICBC. http://www.vancouversun.com/business/Government+grabbing+cash+from+ICBC+Hydro+they+raise+rates+charges/9527548/story.html
Is The BC Utilities Commission Independent? (Revised) December 16, 2020.
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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.
Responsible Vehicle Owners Press-Ganged to Keep Good Ship British Columbia Fiscally Afloat. 3 June 2014
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How the government relies on ICBC's Optional insurance to generate excess profits. 3 June 2014.
Accounting Rules Over-state Government Revenue on Actual Cash Basis 21 September 2016
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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
Government Financial Benefit from ICBC 30 March 2016
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A short survey of the financial benefits the goverment receives from ICBC. 30 March 2016.
"Politics and Public Automobile Insurance in BC 1970-2010." BC Studies, Summer 2013.
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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.