Fatboys Motorcycle Association Poker Rally is Aug 14-15, 2020

At the High Level Rural Hall
$50 per ticket for the entire weekend!
$5000 Grand Prize
BC/DC and The Sociables
All Proceeds to benefit Local Groups
CMTA Sponsored Event

No Fault Insurance in Alberta - Is Legislation is on its way?

I have been following the insurance situation in BC and Alberta very closely.

As BC gets ready for it’s launch of no fault insurance for May 1st, injury lawyers there are saying the system is not going to be fair for those who are injured. I spoke with one lawyer today who has said that between COVID-19 and the new insurance law, he has scaled back his team by 15-20 positions.

Here are some of the highlights that I pulled out of a Vancouver Sun from a March 2020 article:

“No-fault insurance means people involved in vehicle crashes can no longer sue  for damages — except in cases involving court convictions for offences like negligence, street racing, impaired driving, or in cases of faulty manufacturing, botched repairs and the over-service of alcohol by a business.

Instead, people will receive benefits, payments for medical treatment and compensation directly from ICBC, using amounts set by the province depending on the type of injury.”

“Money for pain and suffering will be eliminated for minor injuries; but for major injuries, cash compensation will be set by categories of benefits with maximum amounts set by ICBC, according to the government. Repairs to vehicles will still be handled by auto adjusters with traditional damage assessments.” “The model virtually eliminates the role of personal injury lawyers, who typically take one-third of the total amount awarded in a settlement and represent a powerful lobby group that continues to fight government reforms. They have argued a no-fault system would leave the most vulnerable victims, with the most catastrophic injuries, alone to face ICBC without legal help.

The Trial Lawyers Association of BC said the change puts the rights of injured and vulnerable British Columbians “at grave risk.”

“Today, this government is doubling down on its failed policy to take away the legal rights of British Columbians while protecting ICBC management who have gotten us into this mess in the first place,” said John Rice, association president.”

(https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/live-b-c-to-switch-to-no-fault-auto-insurance-trim-rates-20-per-cent-in-2021/)

Injury lawyers in Alberta are equally skeptical about the situation and are anxiously awaiting the legislation they know is coming.

I spoke with one law firm that believes the writing is on the wall and their firm cited the article below as the reason they feel that it is just a matter of time that Albertan’s right to sue will be taken away.

In March of 2020 an internal document was leaked according to the Insurance Business Mag: 

An internal document from Alberta’s treasury board and finance department has recommended that the province implement a no-fault auto insurance system. The document, which was obtained by Toronto Star, was compiled by actuary firm J.S. Cheng & Partners and insurance consulting firm Cameron & Associates Insurance Consultants, in consultation with representatives from the province’s treasury board and finance department. The report was conducted as part of a claims and costs study requested in 2018.

The report called for a no-fault auto insurance system, wherein policyholders and their passengers are given compensation by their insurer without proof of fault following an accident. However, a no-fault auto insurance system also means claimants cannot sue for pain and suffering from the auto insurance system. The system effectively replaces the right to seek recovery through the civil justice system for a benefits schedule.

According to the study, the root of Alberta’s insurance cost problems is the rising cost of settling injury claims in the province. The report found that individuals who have suffered at least one of the “top four” injuries – namely, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, concussions, temporomandibular joint injuries, and whiplash-associated disorder with chronic pain lasting more than six months – are “more likely to be represented by a lawyer,” and that the percentage of claims from individuals with one or more of the injuries has gradually increased from 16% in 2010 to 30% in 2016.

The study also revealed that in 2017, pain and suffering comprised 57% of the money paid for bodily injury claims.

“The main cost driver within bodily injury claims is pain and suffering,” the study noted, adding that Albertans are “increasingly retaining legal representation to negotiate their compensation.” “Our recommendation is that the system can be modified to make it easier for a claimant to make a claim without the time consuming and costly legal process.

(https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/ca/news/auto-motor/leaked-report-on-albertas-auto-insurance-calls-for-nofault-system-217179.aspx)

The potential model in Alberta would look like this: 

Moving to a no-fault system would help alleviate the pressures being put on auto insurance costs in Alberta, and would be a unique model in the Canadian market, according to the head of the province’s brokers.

“We feel this will kick some of the costs out of the system and also make the physical damage repairs happen a little quicker and a little more efficiently,” George Hodgson, CEO of the Insurance Brokers Association of Alberta (IBAA). “It means people get repairs and those sorts of things done to their car quicker, because you don’t have to have a fight between two insurance companies. If you get into an accident, whether it’s your fault or not, your insurance company will work at repairing your car.”

The Alberta solution calls for policyholders to be able to buy-up for tort. “You have to pay extra to have the right to sue outside of the catastrophic injuries,” Hodgson told Canadian Underwriter. “The idea is that it will reduce claims costs while at the same time giving people the right to sue if they feel they need to.”   https://www.canadianunderwriter.ca/brokers/what-a-made-in-alberta-no-fault-auto-insurance-regime-would-look-like-1004175395/

Basically what that means is that if you want to have the right to sue, you have to pay a higher insurance premium.

So as Mr Hodgson, CEO of the Insurance Brokers Association of Alberta said “This particular government seems to move pretty quickly, so I would expect that whatever they do…they’re going to do it as quickly as they can.” And we have been advised that the announcement could be made as soon as June 1st. 2020.  I have written to Minister Toews to confirm or deny that.

The folks at FAIR Alberta Injury Regulations claim that: “The Government of Alberta is reviewing Alberta’s auto insurance system. The government’s insurance reform panel is considering making Alberta’s insurance system a WCB-style, no-fault system. This system won’t save consumers money. It just means increased profits for corporations and fewer protections for Albertans.”

Visit their website at: https://fairalbertainjuryregulations.ca/

 I am waiting to hear back from Minister Toews with regards to the province of Alberta’s decision and whether or not it has been made and the framework is being put in place as the rumour mill has suggested. There is a lot of concern in the motorcycle community, I have fielded emails from a number of riders who are concerned  that already vulnerable road users will have to choose their insurances wisely or be left out in the cold when it comes to the support that they will get.  

Do we have the right to be concerned? Under the the Saskatchewan Model this is what their basics look like - this is take right from the SGI Website (https://www.sgi.sk.ca/):

GENERAL INFO:

NO FAULT: Saskatchewan residents with No Fault Coverage receive a higher level of defined benefits, regardless of who is responsible for the collision.

• They can sue for expenses not covered by the defined benefits.
• They can't sue for pain and suffering, except in very limited circumstances.
• For the majority of injured people, their claim settlement is made up entirely of defined benefits.

TORT:

• Saskatchewan residents with Tort Coverage receive a lower level of defined benefits, regardless of who is responsible for the collision.
• They can sue the responsible motorist for expenses not covered by the defined benefits.
• They can also sue the responsible motorist for pain and suffering.
• For most injured people, the defined benefits make up only part of their claim settlement.

NO FAULT: Income benefit

90% of net income up to a maximum gross salary of $98,643 annually to age 65, if required.

After 180 days, non-earners including homemakers who continue to be disabled will receive at least minimum wage.

Students will receive up to:

Elementary year: $5,770

Secondary year: $10,722

Post-secondary year: $21,443

Substitute worker or caregiver benefits available up to $47,112 per year.

Those younger than age 65 at the time of the crash and off work for at least 2 years also receive a pension equal to 10% of total income benefit received.

TORT: Income benefit

Up to $23,556 per year.

For a maximum of 2 years unless your injuries prevent you from working at all - if totally disabled, benefit will be paid for life.

Homemakers will also be paid up to $23,556 annually for a maximum of 2 years.

Those who don't qualify for the benefits above, but who are confined to a hospital, bed or wheelchair, will receive $11,752 annually for up to 1 year.

NO FAULT: Medical and rehabilitation coverage

Up to $7,194,892

TORT: Medical and rehabilitation coverage

Up to $28,159 except for those with catastrophic injuries.

Up to $211,189 for those with catastrophic injuries.

NO FAULT: Permanent impairment payment

Up to $206,181 except for those with catastrophic injuries.

Up to $251,821 for those with catastrophic injuries.

TORT: Permanent impairment payment

Up to $14,079 except for those with catastrophic injuries.

Up to $183,031 for those with catastrophic injuries.

NO FAULT: Death benefit

Surviving spouse - 45% of deceased's net income to a maximum gross salary of $98,643 per year.

Education and training allowance of up to $49,483 for dependent spouses.

Surviving dependant - 5% of the deceased's net income per dependant.

$32,988 for loss of a dependant child.

For deceased with no spouse or dependants, $16,494 payment to each surviving parent and each child older than age 21, to a maximum total of $74,226.

$10,790 funeral benefit.

TORT: Death benefit

Surviving spouse - 45% of deceased's net income to a maximum gross salary of $98,643 per year.

Surviving dependant - 5% of calculated death benefit per dependant.

$14,079 to estate of those with no spouse or dependants.

$7,040 funeral benefit.

The Liabilities in the two types of insurance are very different as well;

So what does this mean to all of us in Alberta?

From what I am led to understand, higher premiums, and the government decides your level of care, your financial compensations etc.

You gain some compensation in return for your right to sue someone who alters your life. OR you can pay BIG premiums to retain your right to sue.

Basically it will be a WCB style system and if you listen to those on WCB, I’d say we have room to be concerned.

Until we see the legislation we can’t be sure what is going to happen in Alberta.

If what has happened in Manitoba and Saskatchewan are anything to go on, hold on to your pocket books.

With regards to the support for injured riders in our province and in BC, I am waiting to hear back from Dave Munroe at A.I.M. in BC, but according to the rep from OBB their funding from their Injury Lawyer will not be impacted by the change in the insurance law, and so for them it will be business as usual.

When we know what the impact to the Association for Injured Motorcyclists will be we will let you know.

In the meantime please reach out to your MLA in Alberta and push back hard folks or it will be just one more right we lose in this province:

http://www.assembly.ab.ca/net/index.aspx?p=mla_home&rnumber=

While we are hoping there is time yet to change the course of things, the Insurance Brokers Association of Alberta sounds pretty confident that they have won this thing and that we will become a no fault insurance province.

Ride Like a Local TV Season 7 Episode 1! Edmonton MCS2019

The Edmonton Motorcycle Show 2019 had lots of interesting characters to talk to! Watch Ride Like a Local TV Season 7 with host Belt Drive Betty!

Ride Like a Local - Season 7 - Episode 1 - Segment 1 - Edmonton MCS2019 The Edmonton Motorcycle Show 2019 had lots of interesting characters to talk to! Interviews: Amber Giroux - Navigator - Racing Cheetah's Team www.rallyeaichadesgazelles.com/en/  https://www.facebook.com/racingcheetahs/ Hans & Larry - CVMG - www.cvmg.ca



Ride Like a Local - Season 7 - Episode 1 - Segment 2 - Edmonton MCS2019 Belt Drive Betty Interviews: Chris Pouliot - Alberta Oldtimers Motocross - www.aotmx.ca Dee Choponis - www.hdedmonton.com Clint Rabb - Owner of Edge Harley-Davidson - www.edgehd.com - Lloydminster AB/SK, Canada’s MOST Rider Friendly Community from the 2017 Riding Season


Ride Like a Local - Season 7 - Episode 1 - Segment 3 - Edmonton MCS2019 Belt Drive Betty Interviews: Meagan Grant / Derek Grant / Kyra Brownigg - Edmonton Road Racing Association - www.emra.ca Gary Kosch - Patched Member of the Urban Bulldogs Against Kid Abuse (UBAKA) - ubaka2014.wixsite.com/ubaka

Win 25,000 Choice Hotel Points as part of the Ultimate Alberta Motorcycle Vacation Package giveaway for CMTA Members!

Win 25,000 Choice Hotel Points as part of the Ultimate Alberta Motorcycle Vacation Package giveaway for CMTA Members on December 24th, 2019.

Become a Member today www.motorcycletourism.ca

Become a member of the Canadian Motorcycle Tourism Association for your chance to win the Ultimate Alberta Motorcycle Vacation. Choice Hotel Points, Motorcycle Rentals and More!!!!

Visit: Motorcycletourism.ca for more details.

A Look Back at 2018 at the Calgary Motorcyle Show Season 6 Episode 1 Segment 3

Season 6 Episode 1 Segment 3

Ill-Fated Kustoms - Motorcycle Parts & Lifestyle Goods

Kenny Kwan, the owner of Ill-Fated Kustoms, fell in love with riding after taking a motorcycle riding course with his friend.  Since then, he has turned his passion into a career,

After a bad motorcycle accident, all that was left of his bike was the motor.  He decided to rebuild.  When trying to source out parts for his mission, he found that most parts were only available in the United States.  He then partnered with a friend to start an online business aptly named Ill-Fated which imported custom parts.

In 2015 Kwan decided to make Ill-Fated his full time business and opened to the general public in Calgary AB.  Since then he has three custom bike builds under his belt.  He sells everything from parts and gear, to accessories and apparel.  He also has a journeyman mechanic for services and repairs.

Visit him today at:  500-321 50 AVE SE
CALGARY, AB, CANADA

If you are blessed enough to live where you can be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

A Look Back at 2018 at the Calgary Motorcycle Show Season 6 Episode 1 Segment 2

 Season 6 Episode 1 Segment 2

Women in the Wind

Ride Like a Local sat down with Terry Southwood and Crystal McConnell at the Calgary Motorcycle Show to speak about their group Women in the Wind the Chinook Chapter.

Terry, the treasurer of Women in the Wind has been riding since before having children and steady for the last 8 years.  She credits her brother for influencing her to ride.

Crystal, an avid rider, has been riding since 2013 and bought herself a new bike in 2015.  She credits her son for influencing her love of motorcycles.

The number of female riders has definitely increased in the last 10 years!

Women in the Wind is a group of female motorcycle enthusiasts!  They come for all walks of life, are all ages, and love motorcycles.  The Chinook chapter is the Calgary chapter of Women in the Wind.  There are also over 100 chapters throughout Canada, The United States and Europe.

There are a number of membership benefits such as parties, rallys, social gatherings, meetings held by different chapters, and unlimited friendships made.  But remember, this membership is for women only!

To apply for a membership of to learn more about Women in the Wind, go to https://www.witw-chinookoutriders.com.


Season 6 Episode 1 Segment 2
Badlands Harley Davidson

Ride Like a Local ran into our Rider Friendly Business Association Partner, Ivan Karsten from Badlands Harley-Davidson at the Calgary Motorcycle Show.

Badlands Harley-Davidson has been a family run business since 1996.  Ivan and his wife Wendy moved the store from Medicine Hat to 3 Km east of Medicine Hat on the Trans Canada Highway in 2002.

Badlands Harley-Davidson is an award winning dealership with their prime focus being on customer service.  With over 90 years combined experience, they will help you out with all your riding needs.

Badlands Harley-Davidson is very community minded.  Aside from showing their customers all the great places to ride, they are also involved with sponsoring charities such as the annual Santa Claus Toy Run, the food bank, and HALO Rescue.

To get yourself into a new Harley, or to find out more about Badlands Harley-Davidson, please go to https://www.badlandshd.com/.
If you are blessed enough to live where you can be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty
Editor & Rider

A Look Back at 2018 at the Calgary Motorcycle Show Season 6 Episode 1 Segment 1

Season 6 Episode 1 Segment 1

Airdrie Oilmens Association

Ride Like A Local was onsite at the Calgary Motorcycle Show to interview Adrian & Frank of the Airdrie Oilmens Association.

The Airdrie Oilmen's Association, started in 2003, is a group of people in the gas and oil industry that are raising money for local charities in Airdrie.  They promote a positive community image of the Airdrie Oilmen's Association in and around Airdrie by directing funds raised back into the Airdrie community’s local charities.  Three of the charities that benefit are North Rocky Community Links ,Airdrie Food Bank , and Airdrie and District Victims Assistance Society .

Thanks to some key sponsors and three main events held each year, the Airdrie Oilmen's Association have raised nearly $200K for the charities in their community.

The Airdrie Oilmen's Association is always in need of sponsors and volunteers for the following events:

The Annual Golf Tournament

The White Collar Boxing Event:  Corporate professionals and services employees will be facing off in the squared circle for a fully sanctioned Alberta Ameteur Boxing march all in the name of charity.

Bikes and Bulls:  People from all over Canada and the US join together for Bikes and Bulls.  A weekend of drag racing, show & shine (cars, trucks & bikes), motorcycle and car rally, and professional bull riding.  A full party weekend with live music and free camping!

The Airdrie Oilmen's Association.  Building stronger communities by giving back to the community.

To learn more or to donate, please visit www.aoaalberta.com.

If you are blessed enough to live where you can be riding today, please remember to ride like everyone around you is blind and can not see you.

Belt Drive Betty

Editor & Rider

Heritage & Tourism Mobile App Going Province Wide

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There’s a buzz going on about the History Check Heritage & Tourism Mobile App.  We recently caught wind that this northern Alberta app is set to expand Alberta wide in the summer of 2019.

We caught up with Sheila Willis, the concept person behind the app to confirm.  Its been a busy year for her.  In addition to adding a 1000 sites and sourcing marketing partnerships, she

has been recognized for her work on this project. 

Sheila was one three recipients of the 2018 Outstanding Achievement Awards for Heritage Awareness by Alberta Historic Resources Foundation, and recently nominated for an Alberta Women’s Entrepreneur (AWE) award.

Here’s what we asked her.

Q - First, what is History Check and why is it different?

A - History Check covers a lot of ground - literally.  It is a map-based app that covers the entire northern half of Alberta.  It will include everything a traveller might need, or want, using site listings or Points of Interest.  The sites are placed by community, and a guide is created for each as we add content.

Q - When you say guide, can you define that more?
A - All site listings are assigned to a community or region in one of 5 categories.  When the user opens a community menu, they can choose one, or all, of these categories. 

The graphic icons for the sites are displayed and the user can see anything from boat launches, campgrounds, to gas stations and grocery stores – and of course learn more about the history.   It’s unlimited.

Q - So once the sites are on History Check how does the app user find them?
A - There are multiple options.  Communities can be found through the Home Map, which is an overall view, or Near Me which recognizes your location and sites around you.   We also have search functions that rely on keywords to connect the user to what they are searching for.

Q - Are the rumours true that you are going province wide with the history Check app?
A - They are.  The data entry for community locations has already begun and we have started the process of contacting municipalities and local governance for their participation, which includes financial contribution and content information for municipal run attractions and services.

Q - How will you market to the end user?
A- In addition to our own social media feeds, there is a lot of cross marketing going on.  The download link is already on a variety of websites, Kalyna Country has added it to their attractions map, and it’s also on Mackenzie County’s Historical signage.  We will start distributing hard copy marketing materials this summer and putting out overpass banners and hay bale wrappers.

Q - If industry operators would like to be listed how do they go about that?
A - We have an online form currently at www.fhnas.ca/getlisted or they can email me to ask questions or send in their information.

Q - What kind of information do you need?
A - A good written description of products and services, up to 3 images, and the GPS coordinates.  We like to take the consumer right to the gates or the door.  Also any links they’d like to include such as social media pages, or articles that have been written about them.  Online listings in regional DMO’s or ATIS are also welcome.  They all drive the user forward for more information and interaction.

Q - So how do people get a hold of you?
A - They can call or text 780-805-1390 or shoot me an email at sheila.willis@impacttourism.ca.  I’m on the road a lot so email is best.

Q - Any other comments?
A – I’d like to thank the groups and municipalities that have come on board.  The project is orientated around everyone working together and we appreciate those who got involved early on in the game.