New Brunswick public auto report slated for April 2 release

The long-awaited report on public auto insurance in New Brunswick will be released on April 2, says Elizabeth Weir, NDP member and chair of the “select committee on public automobile insurance”.Weir says the delay in producing the report comes as a result of the complexity of the issue. “The mandate of the committee is very specific and the subject is complex. As well, the technical production of such a lengthy report has been challenging.”She adds the committee has received a large volume of submissions and comments as well as public presentations. Public hearings were held throughout last October and November, although some in the insurance community contend restrictions were placed on who could present at such forums because the committee did not want to address the merits of privately-provided insurance.The choice of Weir as chair of the commission has also been viewed as controversial given the NDP’s stated preference for public auto insurance versus private coverage.An earlier report, commissioned by the Atlantic Premiers’ “harmonization task force” indicated no significant benefits to public insurance.