Municipalities receive ICBC grants totaling $4.6 million — June 28

Thirty-one British Columbia cities, districts, and municipalities will receive ICBC grants in place of property and business taxes, totaling over $4.6 million this year, which is slightly up from last year.

As a provincial Crown corporation, ICBC is not required to pay business and property taxes. Instead, communities receive annual grants from ICBC that are equal to the taxes that would be levied if ICBC were a private business.

Grants are paid to communities for ICBC claim centres, administrative offices, and storage and salvage yards. The municipal grants vary according to size and location of the premises, and differences in local mill rates.

The following is a list of 2007 ICBC grants in place of taxes to be paid:

Abbotsford	$153,554
Burnaby	$247,313
Campbell River	$ 9,982
Chilliwack	$ 82,995
Courtenay	$ 91,547
Coquitlam	$479,507
Cranbrook	$ 12,781
Dawson Creek	$ 11,144
Fort St. John	$ 10,250
Kamloops	$ 69,556
Kelowna	$103,301
Langford	$ 41,598
Langley (City)	$ 74,432
Maple Ridge	$ 73,680
Nanaimo	$129,116
New Westminster	$266,009
North Vancouver (City)	$916,647
North Vancouver (District)	$176,597
Penticton	$ 26,019
Prince George	$ 95,874
Prince Rupert	$ 22,425
Quesnel	$ 11,516
Richmond	$272,035
Saanich	$ 77,870
Smithers	$ 44,359
Surrey	$188,614
Terrace	$ 21,876
Trail	$ 34,865
Vancouver	$629,972
Vernon	$ 32,782
Victoria	$193,880

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Doug Henderson
604-982-1332

Avoid high-risk driving to stay safe this Canada Day long weekend — June 27

ICBC says bad driving habits affect everyone's insurance rates

ICBC is encouraging drivers to help make the roads safer by using their RoadSense, this Canada Day long weekend. According to the five-year average (2002-2006), two people die and 161 people are injured in 574 crashes on Canada Day. These crashes cost ICBC and its customers more than $4.4 million in claims costs.

"Year after year, speeding is the top contributing factor in all fatal collisions. By simply slowing down, we can reduce crashes and save lives," said Solicitor General John Les. "To help get this message across, police will be out on B.C. roads this weekend ticketing drivers who engage in high-risk driving behaviours."

Many motorists will admit to occasionally engaging in high-risk driving behaviours, such as following too closely, or not stopping completely at stop signs, but research shows that most of these drivers do not usually consider themselves as a high-risk driver. There is a strong link between high-risk driving behaviour and crashes. Excessive speed, failing to yield, improper passing, following too close and running red lights or stop signs caused 45 per cent of automobile-related deaths on our roads in 2005.

If you are travelling this weekend, remember the following safety tips:

• Avoid high-risk driving behaviours, practice courtesy and set an example for other drivers.
• Slow down and maintain a safe traveling speed between your vehicle and the one in front.
• Warmer weather can encourage motorcyclists and bicyclists to get out on the road. Remember to use extra caution, share the road, and keep a look out for these other road users.
• Prior to road trips, remember to check the condition of your vehicle to ensure it is properly equipped for longer drives. Inspect all tires, including the spare, making sure they are in good condition and properly inflated and ensure all necessary fluids are topped up.

If you are involved in a crash and need to file a claim, ICBC's Dial-A-Claim service is open 24 hours a day, including holidays. In the Lower Mainland, you can call 604-520-8222, for the rest of B.C. call 1-800-910-4222, or you can also file your claim online at www.icbc.com.

For more information on ICBC's high-risk driving campaign, visit
http://www.icbc.com/road_safety/crash_location.asp

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Kate Best — (604) 982-2480
Tamara McLean - Vancouver Island — (250) 414-7883
Ryan Detwiller - Southern Interior — (250) 979-4612
Alyson Gourley-Cramer - North Central — (250) 561-5006

ICBC welcomes new members to the Board of Directors — June 27

Today, T. Richard Turner, Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia, is pleased to announce that Paul Haggis and T. Michael Porter have been appointed as the newest members of ICBC's Board of Directors.

Mr. Haggis brings more than 28 years experience in the financial, insurance and real estate industries to the ICBC Board. Mr. Haggis was President and CEO of Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System (OMERS) for over three years. He has a degree in History from the University of Western Ontario and is also certified as a Chartered Director through McMaster University.

Mr. Porter has over 38 years experience in the insurance and credit union sectors. He was recently President and CEO and a Board Member with the CUMIS Group Limited where he oversaw all operations for insurance and financial services. From 1973 to 1985, Mr. Porter held several management roles at ICBC. He has been a member of several boards of directors including Credit Union Central of Canada and currently chairs the investment review committee of the board for The Ethical Funds Company.

Mr. Turner would like to thank Lisa Pankratz and Terry Squire for their hard work and dedication to ICBC in their roles as Board Members. Ms. Pankratz, a Chartered Accountant, has been on ICBC's Board of Directors since 2001, was the Chair of the Investment Committee and served on the Audit Committee. Mr. Squire has over 47 years experience in the insurance sector, and has been on ICBC's Board of Directors since 2002. He was Chair of the Governance Committee and also served on the Audit Committee. Both members are leaving as their terms of service are completed on July 13, 2007. Terms for the two new directors start July 13th.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Doug McClelland
604-982-2476

Make road safety a priority on the last week of school, ICBC advises — June 19

Children can be excited and not watching traffic

With another school year coming to a close, ICBC is reminding drivers and pedestrians of all ages to use their RoadSense. The last day of school is an exciting time for school-aged children, which means they may be preoccupied and forget the rules of the road. Drivers are encouraged to use extra caution when driving through and around school zones.

"Pedestrian safety is a two-way street - motorists need to be alert and scan for pedestrians, while pedestrians need to use designated crossing points and obey traffic signs and signals," recommends Nicolas Jimenez, Director Road Safety and Loss Prevention. "Please take a little extra time to help out one another- by watching out for each other."

During the last few days of school, class times may vary. When school is in session, a 30-km/h school zone speed limit is in effect between 8 am and 5 pm. During the summer months, school zone speed limits change unless summer school is in session. Playground speed limits remain in effect year-round.

Pedestrian safety tips for the whole family

• Make eye contact with drivers, so you both know you see each other.
• Always walk on the inside edge of the sidewalk away from the curb or roadway. This way, you are less exposed to vehicles.
• Before stepping off the curb, look left and right for oncoming vehicles. Then look left again over your left shoulder for vehicles that may be turning onto the roadway from beside or behind you.
• Wear bright or light-coloured clothing. At dusk, night or in poor weather, wear reflective material on your clothing (sleeves, shoes, cap or jacket).

For more road safety tips, visit www.icbc.com.

REGIONAL MEDIA CONTACTS:
Alyson Gourley-Cramer, ICBC North Central region - (250) 561-5006
Deb Johnson, ICBC Lower Mainland region - (604) 296-1539
Tamara McLean, ICBC Vancouver Island region - (250) 414-7883
Ryan Detwiller, ICBC Southern Interior Region - (250) 979-4612

20,010 Winter Games licence plate sold — June 12

British Columbians show their support for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games

Vancouver, BC - Over 20,000 British Columbians have chosen to purchase 2010 Winter Games licence plates in the past seven weeks. To mark the occasion a special presentation was made to a Richmond resident who purchased the 20,010 plate.

Olympic snowboarder Alexa Loo, Dave Cobb, VANOC Executive Vice President, and Ed Novak, ICBC's Lower Mainland Director of Broker Relations and Sales, were on hand to present Michael Sentes with a plaque and a Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games commemorative sweater recognizing his support and the purchase of the 20,010 licence plate.

"It is very encouraging to see the early sales success of 2010 Winter Games licence plates," said ICBC's Ed Novak. "Selling more that 20,000 plates in less than two months is a clear indication of the support and pride British Columbians have in the Games. Customers also like the unique look of the plate and the idea of being able to promote the Games while they travel inside and outside BC."

2010 Winter Games licence plates will continue to be valid beyond the Games. If customers decide to cancel their plate after December 31, 2010, they will get to keep the front licence plate as a souvenir in recognition of their support.

"On behalf of the entire VANOC team, I would like to thank everyone who has chosen to purchase a 2010 licence plate to support the Games," said VANOC's Dave Cobb. "The opportunity to keep the front plate as a souvenir of the Games is one that we trust will create a treasured and unique keepsake."

Motorists all over British Columbia are showing their support with approximately 13,000 plates sold in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley, 2,700 sold on Vancouver Island, 3,000 sold in the Southern Interior and 1,400 sold in the North.

2010 Winter Games licence plates went on sale April 16, 2007 and can be purchased from Autoplan brokers for an initial fee of $35 (annual renewal fee of $25). Net proceeds go towards the successful staging of the 2010 Winter Games and are part of ICBC's sponsorship, as official supporter in the motor vehicle insurance category.

The licence plate features the 2010 Winter Games emblem, and the province's slogan, "The Best Place on Earth." The mountain-scene on the 2010 Winter Games plate is that of Mount Garibaldi in Garabaldi Park, located 13 km north of Squamish, 79 km north of Vancouver along Hwy 99 on the road to Whistler. The plate design captures the spirit of the Games while showcasing one of the most scenic and breathtaking areas between Vancouver and Whistler.

2010 Winter Games licence plates are available for passenger vehicles, motor homes, commercial trucks, commercial trailers, farm trucks, motorcycles and utility trailers.

VANOC is responsible for the planning, organizing, financing and staging of the XXI Olympic Winter Games and X Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The 2010 Olympic Winter Games will be staged in Vancouver and Whistler from February 12 to 28, 2010. Vancouver and Whistler will host the Paralympic Winter Games from March 12 to 21, 2010.

Additional information about 2010 Winter Games licence plates is available at local Autoplan broker offices or at http://www.icbc.com/registration/reg_spec_lic_plates_opp.asp

Media contact:

Doug Henderson
ICBC
604-982-1332

Mary Fraser
Vancouver 2010
778-328-3667

Copyright © 2008 ICBC - Insurance Corporation of British Columbia