Premier Christy Clark avoiding questions on long-term ICBC rates

As debate heats up, B.C.Premier Christy Clark is avoiding the discussion on whether the public insurer should be required to disclose future projected rate increases.

When asked on Tuesday, Clark did not directly answer the question of whetherICBCshould have to release the projections, only saying she wants to ensure rates don't gotoo high in the immediate future.

"I thinkICBCshould keep the rates at a 4.9 per cent increase, which is what the government is committed to doing. People cannot afford these massive rate increases," said Clark. "I am fighting for the ratepayers, people who drive cars, the moms and dads who already find life unaffordable."

Increase of 4.9 per cent already submitted

The provincial government has approved a 4.9 per cent increasein 2016 that would add $3.50 a month to theaverage auto insurance bill or $42 a year.

The B.C. Utilities Commission, the organization that regulatesICBC, has called on the insurer to provide some clarity to what sort of increases are expected each year until 2020. ICBC has refused to this point to release the projections because of concerns they would be taken out of context.

ICBC has already submitted an application that would see rates go up 4.9 per cent.

NDP says Clark is being disingenuous

NDP critic Adrian Dix says Clark is being disingenuous in her statement about making sure rates do not become unaffordable.

Dix has calculated thatICBC insurance rates have gone up about 30 per cent over the last five years.

Documents provided by Dix also show theprovincial government has moved nearly $1.2 billion from ICBCrevenues into provincial coffers. It is unclear where that money was used, but the province has committed to not taking revenues out of ICBC's account this fiscal year.

"It is time the public sees Christy Clark's pure incompetence at ICBC. The gall for to come out andsay she is protecting taxpayers when her government scooped out $1.2 billion that was suppose to be used to pay for claims," said Dix.

ICBCargued the 4.9 per cent increase is necessary in order to cover an increase in claims and incidents of insurance fraud.

The BCUC still needs to approve the rate increase before it is finalized.