Orazietti misleading Northerners about auto-insurance, Mantha claims

The war of words over high auto-insurance costs in Ontario rages on.

Algoma-Manitoulin NDP MPP Michael Mantha (shown) says it's time for Northern Liberal MPPs to stop defending auto insurance companies making millions and start defending drivers.

"Ontario drivers are paying the highest rates in Canada. It's time for a change," notes Mantha in a news release.

"We're ready to get to work on solutions. Instead of repeating whatever the insurance industry tells us, let's listen to drivers and independent experts so we can really look at what works and start to make life affordable."

Mantha responds to the Liberals' assertion that an NDP Bill designed to stop insurance rating by neighborhood would drive up rates in the North.

"But today, independent insurance expert and University of Waterloo CIBC Professor of Financial Risk Management Dr. Mary Hardy issued a letter that strikes back at claims made by the insurance industry about Bill 45," the Mantha release states.
 
"Among the points raised is the fact that any reduction in rates in parts of the Greater Toronto Area or other large urban areas as a result of Bill 45 will not negatively impact Northern or rural Ontario. She writes: 'there is no reason why the premiums outside the major [urban areas] should change. The major impact would be on premiums charged in and around Toronto.'"
 
Mantha also claims Sault  MPP David Orazietti was "misleading Northern Ontarians on Bill 45. If backbench Liberal MPPs can find an independent expert to back their view on Bill 45, I'd love to see it."