The Automotive Retailers Association is taking its battle against ICBC to the Federal Competition Bureau.
President Ken McCormack says, in 2010 ICBC ceased negotiating with the ARA regarding the rates it pays its suppliers, instead choosing to unilaterally set rates for industry suppliers without any meaningful consultation.
He says the association is looking for a legal opinion from the bureau.
“We are on the Competition Bureau with our own question and get that overturned. The main thing for us is that it makes no sense that we cant talk to ICBC and work with them on rates, especially since the other two provinces in Canada, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, who also have crown insurance have no troubles whatsoever negotiating with their industry associations.”
The ARA’s members raised one hundred thousand dollars to fund the legal opinion.