November 21, 2024
MEDIA STATEMENT

The following statement can be attributed to Jackie Halpern, Spokesperson for the Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers Association in response to the Alberta Government’s decision to implement a no-fault insurance system:

“Our Association is deeply disappointed by the Alberta government’s decision to implement a no-fault insurance system. No-fault auto insurance strips Albertans of a fundamental freedom – which is the right to sue at-fault parties and hold insurance companies accountable through a court of law.

We support action on making premiums more affordable, but today’s policy decision is a loss for Alberta consumers and a win for insurance companies. We believe this policy will result in the worst of all outcomes: Albertans will pay more in premiums only to receive fewer consumer protections and lose their rights to challenge insurance companies in court. Already profitable insurance companies are now empowered more than ever in Alberta’s system and will reap all the benefits of no-fault insurance.\

A fundamental feature of no-fault auto insurance is it overcompensates those who need the least care and dramatically undercompensates those with serious and life-altering injuries. Working-class and blue-collar Albertans will be most harmed by this system as their careers and lost wages from serious injury will no longer be compensated for appropriately. All Albertans will now pay more through the transfer of costs from insurance companies and at-fault drivers to our health care and social assistance systems. Not only will Albertans lose access to justice through this reform, but when implemented, no-fault insurance will prove morally unjust for thousands and thousands of families.

We will continue to work constructively with the Alberta government to improve the no-fault insurance policy with proposals that would better balance the rights of Albertans, better protect Alberta families who will be harmed by this system, and better restrain the power of insurance companies who now find themselves in the driver’s seat instead of consumers.”

About the Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers Association
Founded in the Spring of 1986 as a Non-Profit Society, ACTLA’s mission is to advocate for a strong civil justice system that protects the rights of all Albertans. ACTLA has members across the province and works with government to ensure the voice of plaintiffs is heard and the rights of Albertans are protected.

For more information, please contact: Nash Calvert, ACTLA Communications (communications@actla.com)