ADVOCATING KEY ISSUES that are important for the safety of our Members and the general public is one of the core responsibilities of the Board of Directors of CAA Club Group (CCG). Motorist and pedestrian safety continues to be fundamental to our agenda, which has resulted in CCG engaging with various areas of the provincial government to ensure that focus and funding are provided to optimize our roadways and pedestrian zones. In past years, there has also been more emphasis on cyclist safety in response to increased traffic congestion, which is posing a serious risk to cyclists and drivers alike.

These issues were discussed with representatives of the Ontario provincial government this past November, and this advocacy continues to be spearheaded throughout the year by the Board and supported by the various teams at CCG. We are pleased with the openness of the provincial government to meet with us and listen to these viewpoints, which ultimately serve to enact legislation in improving the safety of our Members and communities.

One emerging issue that has become a significant concern during the past two years is auto theft, which has impacted a specific set of vehicles and is endangering the lives of Canadians. It has also created an affordability issue in the auto insurance sector for the general population. Our management team is doing an excellent job in segregating the insurance risk only to those high-risk vehicles. However, it’s imperative to take action at the root of the problem — at the manufacturer level — to prevent this risk from occurring in the first place. In 2024, the Board added auto theft to its advocacy focus areas and recommended updating vehicle manufacturing legislation and standards by including security as a core tenet of vehicle design. Vehicle safety regulations, which have not been updated since 2007, need to be modernized in order to facilitate changes that are necessary to protect the physical property of our Members and to ensure their safety, as well as safeguard the affordability of auto insurance.

These are some of the key advocacy areas of the Board of Directors at CCG and we are pleased to report that we are making outstanding progress that will ultimately benefit our Members and communities in the years to come. We hope you find this update helpful.

The Board of Directors at CCG wish you and your family a safe spring.