Editor:
Re: editorial cartoon (July 20 issue of the Grand Forks Gazette)
I am writing to address the Adrian Raeside editorial cartoon you ran (on July 20), which implied that ICBC hands out financial bonuses to its workers freely and without cause.
ICBC employees have worked exceptionally hard and have been a key part of growing ICBC to the profitable corporation it is today.
Unfortunately for employees and drivers, the B.C. Liberal government clawed back ICBC’s profits into general revenue: $990 million total. Meanwhile, ICBC has increased compensation for body shops, physical therapists and lawyers.
What bonuses the average ICBC workers do receive are comparatively small and now BC drivers are being told to expect rate hikes when they should be receiving rebates.
Drivers have a right to be angry at the way the Liberal government has skimmed the profits that should have gone into rebates.
A public auto insurance system is the best way to go but before it can reach its full potential to serve British Columbians, the government needs to stop taking ICBC’s money.
Jeff Gillies, vice-president, COPE Local 378, ICBC