Proposed UCP policy resolution pressures Smith govt to repeal insurance changes

Members of Alberta’s United Conservative Party are set to vote on a proposal at the upcoming annual general meeting that could scrap the province’s controversial “no-fault” insurance system.

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Members of Alberta’s United Conservative Party are set to vote on a proposal at the upcoming annual general meeting that could scrap the province’s controversial “no-fault” insurance system.

Policy Resolution #1 was proposed by UCP member Karamveer Lalh. Last year, all 35 resolutions were passed at the UCP AGM, with many adopted and implemented by the party.

The proposal alleges that “returning to a tort-based system aligns with conservative values by promoting personal responsibility and accountability, ensuring fair compensation based on fault and reducing fraudulent claims.”

“This approach encourages safer driving behaviours and ensures that only legitimate claims are compensated,” reads the policy resolution’s rationale.

Additionally, it calls for removing the phrase “Direct Compensation for Property Damage” to “maintain clarity and focus in the resolution.”

All 35 UCP resolutions proposed at its annual general meeting last year passed. If this one passes as well, the membership will specifically reject the legislative direction of Alberta Finance Minister Horner.

The province currently uses the “Care-First” model, which critics argue strips accident victims of their rights and empowers insurance companies.

However, the Ministry of Finance previously told True North it is open to stakeholder feedback before finalizing regulations.

In an interview with True North, Tyler Van Vliet, an associate with Crash Lawyers in Calgary, said returning to the previous system would “preserve the basic right of an injured person to bring a claim against the driver who hurt them and to have an independent judge assess their losses.”

Van Vliet said the “Care-First” model disproportionately harms the most vulnerable. He noted that disability advocates in B.C. have already launched constitutional challenges against no-fault insurance, arguing it severely impacts individuals with serious physical and mental impairments.

“Under tort, you start with full rights, and a judge decides what you’re owed. Under a meat-chart style system, you start with whatever number the chart spits out, and you’re left begging the insurer to make exceptions with no legal recourse or support,” he said.

UCP members are slated to vote on the policy proposals later this month.