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George Sweeney, MHA for Carbonear - Harbour Grace
District and Opposition Critic for Government Services, says the January 19th
deadline to advise the Public Utilities Board (PUB) of interest to attend
insurance hearings to be held later this year has not been adequately
promoted, is unfair and will limit participation by members of the general
public.
"Government and the PUB have not yet announced when or
where hearings will be held later this year, yet interest must be expressed
by January 19th," said Sweeney. "I find this time period to be
too short and not well advertised considering the magnitude of public
interest in this issue.
"The public has been engaged in the auto insurance
review file for a number of years and it is only fair that this deadline be
extended and more information be provided by the PUB and government. Hearing
dates and locations should be chosen and advertised to allow maximum
participation before arbitrary deadlines are set and people excluded."
Sweeney says the PUB released a detailed report and
closed claims study on January 7th and expects the public to
analyze several hundred pages of information and form opinions by January 19th.
"This time frame is simply not acceptable. Government has a responsibility
to ensure the PUB holds consultations on all insurance issues in a proper
manner. In this case, only auto insurance will be discussed and attempts are
already being made to limit participation
"I will be participating in these hearings and
encourage people to have their voices heard. Reforms announced last summer
by the Williams government are only a small portion of the savings that
should be realized by consumers. Members of the public should be aware that
without further reforms, rates will begin to escalate again in the near
future."
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