St. Catharines Council is asking the provincial government to step in and regulate commercial insurance rates.
Councillor Karrie Porter brought forward the motion, saying several business owners have told her their insurance rates have increased, in some cases doubling or tripling, without the policyholder filing a claim to justify the increase.
She says immediate action is needed to stop price gouging during the pandemic and beyond.
The unanimously supported motion will be sent to the Premier, the four local MPPs, the Minister of Finance, and the Greater Niagara Chamber of Commerce.
In October Premier Ford told insurance companies to get a handle on what he called ‘astronomical’ commercial rate increases and in some cases denial of coverage.