What’s new: In brief (May 17, 2004)

Reporting at the Alberta Brokers Conference, new Insurance Brokers Association of B.C. (IBABC) president Brian Fitzpatrick says he was “shocked by the firing of Nick Geer”, CEO of Insurance Corp. of B.C. “Many people saw him as one of the best presidents we’ve seen in years,” Fitzpatrick noted. “It seems as if making ICBC an efficient company made it difficult for the government to increase competition [in auto insurance].”

Also reporting at the Alberta Brokers Conference, Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC) president Ken Orr encouraged members to become active in the upcoming federal election. “Being politically active is not just a nice thing to do, it’s a part of our business,” he says. Among the political items brokers need to voice their opinions on is the 2006 Bank Act review, and the need to control auto premiums by controlling claims costs, Orr adds. “You need to tell your MPs, the only way you control what comes in [premiums] is by controlling what goes out [claims].”