Vancouver, British Columbia — September 25, 2012 — There is a new voice for western Canada’s towing industry. The Western Canada Automotive Business Association (WCABA) is a recently incorporated not–for–profit association formed by members of the towing industry. The association was formed in response to critical financial and operational challenges to the towing industry. It is the WCABA’s contention that these challenges seem to involve ICBC at every turn.
The WCABA wishes to thank Minister Kevin Falcon for his leadership in demanding the recently released review on the Insurance Corporation of B.C. (ICBC) and for taking swift steps to make changes to ICBC’s governance.
Dale Finch, President and CEO of the WCABA, says “The towing industry is financially struggling because ICBC took the unprecedented steps to request a federal competition bureau opinion. This opinion has changed all industry stakeholder relationships in the province that have worked in B.C. since 1973, even as ICBC was formed. ICBC knows that industry stakeholders do not have the financial resources that ICBC does to legally decide this issue. We need Minister Falcon’s intervention. Businesses should not be put out of business by a crown monopoly. That is a real possibility in the towing industry.”
Finch goes on to say, “Rate setting – or in this case the lack of rate setting – is not only affecting tow companies’ financial survival. [Rate setting affects] everyone who works in the towing and recovery industry who earns their living working for these companies. Our towing and recovery industry runs 24/7 businesses and works with their partners – the police and fire departments – in some horrible weather and with the public in very stressful, and in some cases, tragic situations.”
The WCABA contends that ICBC is increasing rates in all areas, including truck insurance, but the feel that their revenues aren’t keeping pace. The WCABA sees a need to be able to pass on their cost increases and that includes municipal contracts and other programs being dictated by ICBC rates.
The WCABA believes now is the time for strong leadership at ICBC. According to Finch, “The very recent appointment of Paul Taylor to the position of Board Chair is great news.” The WCABA feels that Mr. Taylor is an experienced business and financial person. They also state in a release that they have a long way to go in sorting out towing industry issues and that if anyone has the balance to aid the current situation, it is Mr. Taylor.
According to the WCABA, the auto rental industry experienced devastation four years ago as a result of ICBC’s controversial bid process. They do not want to see a similar situation occur in the towing and recovery industry.
The WCABA looks forward to working with Minister Kevin Falcon and ICBC Chairman Paul Taylor in the coming weeks to begin to resolve the issues affecting the towing and recovery industry.
For further information on the WCABA, please contact Dale Finch, President and CEO at 604-341-4933 or visit wcaba.ca.
