EDMONTON, Alta. – After several annual reductions in a row, Alberta’s trucking industry will face a hike in Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) rates in 2000.

“We’ve been indicating to the industry not to be fooled into thinking rates will decrease every year,” says Collin Heath, general manager of the Alberta Trucking Association. He says with the economy booming there are simply more opportunities for on the job injuries.

The increase breaks down as follows:

road construction will go from $2.03 to $2.19 which is a 7.88 per cent increase;

specialized trucking will go from $3.26 to $3.51 which is a 7.67 per cent increase;

general trucking will go from $2.63 to $3.02 which is a 14.83 per cent increase;

oilfield trucking will go from $3.23 to $3.47 which is a 7.43 per cent increase;

and, garbage collection will go from $2.34 to $2.96 which is a 26.5 per cent increase.

Although the rates are a significant increase over previous years in the province, they still remain among the lowest in Canada. n

ICBC enjoys

$101-M surplus

NORTH VANCOUVER, B.C. – The Insurance Corporation of B.C. (ICBC) has posted a $101-million surplus for the first nine months of 1999, according to financial figures released this week.

ICBC’s positive financial footing is due largely to favorable developments in settling claims, increased sale of Autoplan insurance and continued strong performance by ICBC’s investment portfolio, according to Thom Thompson, ICBC president.

“We have been very conservative in estimating the costs of claims from prior years and this fiscal prudence has helped us achieve a positive financial picture,” says Thompson. “During the past 2.5 years we have implemented a series of aggressive road safety and claims cost control measures.”

For the third consecutive year, British Columbians bought more coverage, increasing by $2.9 million over 1998 levels. n

Surrey truck route debated in private

SURREY, B.C. – Staff from Surrey city hall and the province’s Highways Department will meet behind closed doors next month to discuss truck traffic along South Fraser Perimeter Road.

While that meeting is tentatively set for Jan. 10, the province will hold a series of open house meetings through the month to detail options for a new truck route along the south bank of the Fraser River. n