Local MPP Randy Pettapiece has renewed his call to protect municipalities from mounting insurance premiums.
During the first week of the legislative session, Pettapiece introduced a new motion calling on the government to reform the joint and several liability model.
“Municipalities’ insurance premiums are still too high,” said Pettapiece. “No longer can this government ignore calls from our municipal partners. They need to work with them to reform this expensive system.” Currently, if two or more parties are found at fault or negligent in a lawsuit, damages can be recovered from any defendant – even if the party is deemed only one percent responsible. This is putting municipalities on the hook when other defendants lack the ability to pay.
Last February Pettapiece introduced a private member’s motion calling on the government to reform the joint and several liability model. His motion earned statements of support from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario, the Insurance Bureau of Canada, insurance brokers, and over 210 municipalities across Ontario, states a Feb. 19 press release from the MPP’s office.
The motion passed with strong support from all parties in the legislature.
However, at the August 2014 AMO conference, Premier Wynne announced that her government would not be introducing any joint and several liability reform measures, Pettapiece notes in the release.
“It’s very strange that the government supported my motion, but then six months later, refused to take action,” Pettapiece commented. “The Liberals had been promising action since 2011, but then they reneged.” Pettapiece has filed a Freedom of Information request for documents related to the Ministry of the Attorney General’s consultations on joint and several liability.
“Municipalities are facing a liability chill,” said Pettapiece. “Across the province, this has led to tobogganing bans and restrictions on public activities. No child should be banned from tobogganing because of the threat of a lawsuit.”
