Minister Noel invites Atlantic counterparts to St. John's to discuss increasing insurance costs

Walter Noel, Minister of Government Services and Lands and minister responsible for consumer affairs, today invited ministers responsible for automobile insurance in the Atlantic provinces to meet in St. John's to discuss rising automobile insurance rates.

In his letter to the Atlantic ministers, Mr. Noel said: "It would certainly be desirable to have a harmonized approach to the matter, if possible, particularly in light of the fact we are working on a Harmonized Insurance Act through the Council of Atlantic Premiers."

Rising insurance cost is becoming a pressing issue in the Atlantic provinces, Minister Noel said. "In fact, the Halifax Herald today reported that the Nova Scotia government is looking into car insurance and why some Nova Scotians are seeing rates double."

Media contact: Rick Callahan, Communications, (709) 729-4860.

2002 01 11                           4:00 p.m.