Alberta’s Proposed “Care-First” Auto Insurance System Draws Strong Criticism from Legal Community

The Alberta government’s proposed Care-First auto insurance system is drawing widespread concern for how it would compensate injured Albertans. Under newly released draft regulations, the province would assign fixed dollar amounts to specific injuries, known in the insurance industry as a “meat chart,” rather than allowing courts to assess each person’s unique circumstances.

The proposed Permanent Injury Regulation would cap payouts for life-altering injuries such as the loss of a pregnancy, a hand, or even a traumatic brain injury. For example, the government’s schedule lists $13,000 for the loss of a pregnancy under 20 weeks and as little as $38,000 for a moderate brain injury that can permanently affect cognition and employment capacity.

These figures have alarmed injury law advocates, who say the draft regulations undervalue the human impact of serious injuries and remove Albertans’ right to fair compensation.

KMSC Managing Partner Owen Lewis Speaks Out

KMSC Law’s Managing Partner, Owen Lewis, who also serves as spokesperson for the Alberta Civil Trial Lawyers Association (ACTLA), was featured in the Financial Post this week speaking out against the proposed system. Lewis described the government’s draft as “a chart that literally puts a price tag on the human body in a way Albertans will find absurd.”

“If you lose a pregnancy, Alberta says it’s worth $13,000. That’s an insult,” Lewis told the Financial Post. “Imagine being a tradesperson who can never work with your hands again, and that’s all you get. This is a no-fault system where government predetermines what injuries are worth, and insurers decide who qualifies to be paid at all.”

Lewis emphasized that the proposed “Care-First” model would eliminate Albertans’ right to challenge insurers in court, while also failing to deliver the $400 in premium savings that were originally promised when the system was announced.

“This is an alarming scenario where insurance companies get everything they want, Albertans get no premium savings, and we’re valuing $13,000 for the loss of a child,” Lewis said.

What’s Next for Care-First Alberta

The government’s draft regulations remain under review, meaning Albertans still have an opportunity to make their voices heard. As Lewis noted, “Even within a no-fault framework, there are alternatives that can deliver savings and still protect Albertans who will get severely injured.”

KMSC Law stands with Albertans who believe fairness and accountability must remain at the heart of our auto insurance system. Our firm continues to advocate for policies that protect the rights and dignity of those injured through no fault of their own.

To learn more about how these proposed changes could affect Albertans and to add your voice, visit FAIR Alberta — a coalition advocating for fairness, accountability, and the right to full and fair compensation.

Read the full Financial Post article here: Alberta releases draft no-fault insurance regulations critics call ‘alarming’