November 1, 2023

Statement Regarding Alberta Government Insurance Reforms
Attributable to Owen Lewis, Chair of Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers Association
Alberta’s trial lawyers support government action on affordability. Along with inflation and rising energy costs, large premium increases for auto insurance have been a major strain on many Albertans who continue to struggle with the ongoing affordability crisis.

ACTLA has long advocated for more consumer protection and financial transparency in the insurance industry. Today’s package of reforms will be supported by Alberta consumers who have called for better regulation of insurance profits and for more oversight of the industry.

The Alberta government also announced that longer-term systemic reforms will be under consideration in 2024 including potential no-fault auto insurance systems. ACTLA opposes no-fault auto insurance systems, which would remove the right of Albertans to challenge an insurance company’s decisions in court. Experience in the U.S. and other provinces has shown that no-fault doesn’t reduce premiums. Instead, no-fault systems lead to higher costs, fewer protections for consumers, and no accountability for bad drivers or insurance companies.

ACTLA is committed to working openly and constructively with the Alberta government on ways to make auto insurance more affordable while protecting the fundamental right of Albertans to seek justice through our court system.