Alberta UCP Delegates Reject 'Care First' No-Fault Auto Insurance Proposal

At the United Conservative Party (UCP) Annual General Meeting, delegates decisively rejected the government’s proposed "Care First" no-fault auto-insurance model. This proposal faced opposition due to concerns about the loss of the right to sue, fixed payout amounts for severe injuries, and a perceived shift in balance toward insurance companies over claimants. The opposition draws on the experience of British Columbia’s "Enhanced Care" no-fault auto-insurance model, which has faced criticism for limiting injured parties' rights to appeal and restricting access to treatments. Alberta delegates viewed the BC model as ineffective and undesirable to emulate. Despite acknowledging the high cost of Alberta’s auto insurance premiums, the majority underscored that affordability should not come at the cost of fundamental legal rights. The vote signifies a preference for reforms that improve affordability while maintaining accountability and the right to pursue legal claims in cases of serious injury. The UCP members indicated support for alternative reform measures such as targeting frivolous claims, clarifying injury definitions, and streamlining minor injury disputes without abolishing the right to sue. There is a strong preference for an Alberta-specific reform approach rather than adopting models from other provinces. Moving forward, the government is urged to scrap the no-fault proposal and initiate inclusive, multi-stakeholder discussions to develop a more balanced and effective auto insurance framework tailored for Alberta. This approach aligns with principles of personal responsibility, accountability, and protection of individual rights emphasized by party members.