Latest news with #Sutherland
Calgary Herald
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Calgary Herald
Alberta's proposed care-first auto insurance could add $136 in annual premiums: report
A new analysis by MNP consulting firm found Alberta's proposed care-first auto insurance system may not deliver on the $400 savings as promised. Article content Premier Danielle Smith in November of last year announced the province will overhaul the auto insurance system in 2027 to a no-fault system boasting lower premiums, the country's most generous benefits package while maintaining a right-to-sue. Article content Article content Article content The estimated cost of tort-access as proposed in the model could add up to $218 annually to premiums, while limiting the ability to sue to a select set of Criminal Code and Traffic Safety Act provisions as well as economic losses higher than the coverage limits could still cost drivers an extra $136 in annual premiums. Article content 'And when you add in the increased cost of tariffs, other inflationary pressures which can't be accounted for today due to the rate cap, it's becoming increasingly unlikely that drivers are going to see savings when the care-first model is adopted,' Aaron Sutherland, IBC's vice-president for Western and Pacific Canada said. Article content Article content Under the new model, car accident victims would be paid by their own insurers at compensation rates set by the government, instead of suing parties responsible for injury. Article content Article content In November, Smith said the changes would minimize costs and time lost in legal claims and prioritize care for accident victims. Article content The province has modelled its system on those seen in B.C, Saskatchewan and Manitoba — but those systems have 'eliminated the right to sue,' Sutherland said. 'Having pulled those costs out, they've used those to expand the benefits people get to recover and improve the price they're paying.' Article content The report stated the province based its savings estimates on adopting Manitoba's model, wherein drivers can only sue for property damage. 'Alberta, it sounds like, isn't going to be pulling out the ability to sue to the same degree and that means that those cost savings simply won't be there,' Sutherland said. Allowing for tort access to recoup any losses income that exceed coverage limits would result in a four-to-nine per cent increase in driver premiums, the report stated. For traffic and criminal code violations, the more flexible the tort access, the higher the premiums. Until the new system is launched, insurers will be able to raise the rates for good drivers up to 7.5 per cent each year, which includes a 2.5 per cent rider to cover costs for natural disasters like hail storms and wildfires. IBC: Rate-cap stifling competition The rate cap, according to Sutherland, impedes an insurer's ability to compensate for rising costs, innovate and remain in healthy market competition. 'It's driving competition away,' he said. 'It's not improving affordability. For many drivers, if they've got to find a new insurer, they're actually seeing their price grow quite dramatically.' The province, he added, is yet to reveal any details of what the system is set to look like when it comes to fruition, which makes analyzing any actual outcomes difficult and uncertain. 'There's still much that remains to be seen,' he said.
The Citizen
25-06-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Graphic artist Jordan Sutherland proves hustle beats hype in creative industry
Without formal training or agency backing, Sutherland turned his passion into a full-fledged design business. He's been drawing his own path through life ever since he could hold a pencil. Graphic artist Jordan Sutherland's got a way about him that's unassuming and quiet, imminently chilled. Yet there's a larger than life personality that reveals itself slowly, because he doesn't need to be loud to be noticed. This man's got talent and he knows how to use it. Sutherland is in his early 30s now and he's still never held a formal job. Facing failure, finding direction He was an entrepreneur from the get-go and despite setbacks, he's curated a personal growth curve that has only headed north, albeit at times with a bit of a plateau. But every time that happened, he restarted the incline, got up, dusted himself off and just did it. Sutherland was educated at the National School of the Arts in Braamfontein. There, he failed his first entrance exam. 'I didn't get in the first time,' he said. 'They made you draw a self-portrait, a chair, do a painting and then sit for a three-hour creativity exam. I wasn't ready.' He did it again after some practice and was admitted. His scholastic career was also where he met his future business partner and, when he swapped his uniform for real world civvies, it was all business. Business and challenges Instead of heading off to varsity and sitting through another bunch of years, he wanted to get going. He had a friend who was still in high school but already dabbling in web development. 'We said, let's start a business. He builds the websites; I'll do the branding and logos. And just like that, it was a done deal.' ALSO READ: Youth month: Young creators get a spot on the wall in Joburg Sutherland's parents had a rule though that he didn't like. 'They said if I lived under their roof, I had to work where they told me to. So, I moved out,' he said. 'I knew I could work remotely and I knew this could work.' It did, until it didn't. Six months into the partnership, his friend, a Congolese national, left Mzansi to visit family in Congo. 'I dropped him at the airport, and 30 minutes later I get a call that he's been deported,' said Sutherland. It turned out some paperwork that had allowed him residence in South Africa had been 'organised' on the young man's behalf without him knowing and it got him dispatched. With Congo's triple daily power cuts and sketchy internet connectivity at the time, Sutherland's business partner was out of action for the foreseeable future. Picking up the pieces It left him in a pickle. Clients were calling. Sites needed updates. Jeremy wasn't answering. It was a squeeze that had Sutherland thinking that the whole future he had mapped out was about to be cancelled. 'So, I started again. New company, new name. I just called it after myself. Sutherland Sites,' he said. A crash course in website platform WordPress later, Sutherland was building websites from scratch, front to back. 'That was about 10 years ago. Since then, I've done over 300 sites, full branding packages, corporate identities, you name it.' ALSO READ: Beaded tribute: Artist gifts Thabo Mbeki a 77 558-bead portrait for his birthday 'In charge of my own destiny' It's all been self-taught. The graphic design skills, the web development, fixing glitches and the client management aspects of doing business. There's no agency propping him up, no ponytail or tech hype. He had to figure it all out while he was billing for stuff, because he had to eat and he had to secure some kind of future. 'I tried to apply for jobs on the side, but it was not where my heart was. I wanted to be in charge of my own destiny, so I just put my head down, learned and earned.' Tech changes and existential crises In the decade and a bit since he started his company there have been massive changes. Technology has accelerated to such an extent that designers, copywriters and many people in the create industry had, and likely would, face several existential crises. Yet Sutherland reckons there's no real cause for concern because there's value in grit, experience and solving real-world problems. 'I think platforms like Canva were a bigger knock to graphic designers than artificial intelligence,' he said. 'It gave small business owners the tools to do decent design themselves.' Presently Sutherland's working on a project that will help him and other designers and creative folk manage the business end more efficiently. This, in between a growing roll call of clients, his dry sense of humour and seriously great talent. NOW READ: Trombonist Siyasanga 'Siya' Charles excited to come back home for the National Arts Festival
Cision Canada
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- Cision Canada
Report finds including limited right to sue in new Alberta auto insurance model could cost drivers up to $136 annually
EDMONTON, ON, June 24, 2025 /CNW/ - A new analysis from consulting firm MNP finds that the government's intention to maintain the ability to sue in Alberta's Care-First auto insurance model could add up to $136 to required premiums annually. In light of the findings, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is urging the government to resist pressure to keep tort access in the new system and instead stay focused on ensuring victims receive the highest level of care to support their recovery. "Litigation in Alberta's auto insurance system creates significant costs for Alberta drivers. Removing this, to improve affordability and care, is the main reason the government decided to transition to its Care-First model," said Aaron Sutherland, Vice-President, Pacific and Western, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). "The provincial government designs and mandates the auto insurance products that insurers must sell. No other province with a care-based system permits the ability to sue as envisioned in Alberta because of the significant costs it adds for drivers, while doing nothing to improve care for those injured in collisions." As the Alberta government moves forward with the final design of its new Care-First auto insurance system, it has indicated that those injured in collisions will retain the ability to sue when the at-fault driver is guilty of select Criminal Code and Traffic Safety Act violations, as well as to recover out-of-pocket expenses beyond what is covered by their own insurance policy. IBC commissioned MNP to explore the impact this would have on required premiums. The firm's findings can be found here. After years of escalating legal costs and government-imposed rate interventions, Alberta's auto insurance market is in crisis. Soaring repair costs, inflation and tariffs are only adding to the pressure. Now, with the government's intention to allow tort access to continue as a cost pressure, the success of Alberta's Care-First model is at risk—eroding the savings that drivers could see when the new system comes into effect in 18 months. "Drivers deserve an auto insurance system that they can count on when they need it," added Sutherland. "IBC and its members are eager to work with the government to stabilize the system today and ensure the new system brings drivers savings and the access to the best medical benefits so that they can recover." The Alberta government's Automobile Insurance Rate Board (AIRB) recently published new data on cost pressures impacting driver premiums over the next year, all of which are growing well in excess of the current 7.5% auto insurance rate cap: Legal costs are increasing 9.7% Accident benefit costs are increasing 11.9% Over the last year, costs for vehicle damage coverages were projected to increase by more than 15%. The AIRB also highlighted that last year auto insurers lost 20 cents for every dollar sold in premiums due to the government's ongoing rate cap. This is creating significant strain on the availability of coverage for drivers today and on the ability of the Care-First system to deliver savings for drivers in the future. "The Alberta government is trying to deliver significant savings under the new system, but current auto insurance rates are under tremendous pressure," said Sutherland. "The insurance industry supports the government's goal of making auto insurance more affordable for Alberta drivers. But to do that, a significant course correction is needed." About Insurance Bureau of Canada Established in 1964, Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC) is the national industry association representing Canada's private home, auto and business insurers. Its member companies make up the vast majority of Canada's highly competitive property and casualty (P&C) insurance market. As the leading advocate for Canada's private P&C insurers, IBC collaborates with governments, regulators and stakeholders to support a competitive environment for the P&C insurance industry to continue to help protect Canadians from the risks of today and tomorrow. IBC believes that Canadians value and deserve a responsive and resilient private P&C insurance industry that provides insurance solutions to both individuals and businesses. For media releases, IN Focus articles, or to book an interview with an IBC representative, visit Follow us on LinkedIn, X and Instagram, and like us on Facebook. If you have a question about home, auto or business insurance, contact IBC's Consumer Information Centre at 1-844-2ask-IBC. We're here to help.
Daily Mail
22-06-2025
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Nine Network bosses DELETE shocking rape re-enactment from 60 Minutes episode - after the actor who played a knife-wielding predator is revealed to have done the unthinkable
The Nine Network is removing footage from a 60 Minutes episode in which an actor recently convicted of domestic violence portrayed a knife-wielding rapist in a re-enactment. Joel Aaron Baker boasted on social media earlier this month about his role on Nine's flagship current affairs program, which screened 10 days after he was found guilty of a domestic violence offence. The June 8 edition of 60 Minutes featured a report by Tara Brown about Christian Brueckner, the prime suspect in the 2007 disappearance in Portugal of British toddler Madeleine McCann. Brown had interviewed Irish woman Hazel Behan, who claimed she was raped by Brueckner in 2004, and the program featured a re-enactment of that alleged attack. Baker portrayed a balaclava-clad Brueckner, dressed all in black and carrying a hunting knife, as he tormented a terrified Ms Behan. What 60 Minutes viewers did not know was that on May 29, just 10 days before the program screened, he had faced a magistrate at Sutherland Local Court. On that day Baker was cleared of assaulting his wife but convicted of another domestic violence-related offence - destroying or damaging property. The destroy or damage property charge stemmed from an incident which occurred at the former couple's marital home last year. Baker was placed on a 12-month conditional release order and made the subject of a two-year apprehended violence order protecting his wife, and is prohibited from going within 50m of her home or workplace. The 36-year-old, from Sylvania Waters in Sydney's south, split from his wife in October last year and is only allowed to contact her through a lawyer. As part of the conditional release order, Baker must comply with a treatment plan and take part in a domestic violence program under the supervision of a community corrections officer. Two months earlier at the same court Baker had seven other domestic violence-related common assault charges dismissed after being found not guilty. A day after the 60 Minutes episode was aired, Baker posted on Facebook and Instagram about his latest acting experience. 'A small acting job I got to do for a re-enactment on last night's episode of 60 Minutes on Channel 9,' he wrote. 'Warning: It's not a nice topic related to the Madeline McCann case, but you can see the full story on @9now.' Promoting himself for playing a man perpetrating violence against a woman so soon after his conviction has appalled Baker's wife's family. 'What has caused our family even more distress is Joel's immediate public sharing of the 60 Minutes segment via his social media, seemingly celebrating his appearance despite the deeply concerning nature of his personal conduct,' one relative said. A Nine spokesman said the network had not known about Baker's criminal conviction and the June 8 episode would be edited. 'Actors sourced for re-enactments are provided through a talent agency,' he said. 'We were not made aware of these claims and we are now in the process of removing the footage from the story on online episodes.' Baker describes himself as an actor, model, DJ and 'digital creator', but until three years ago he was the manager of a McDonald's outlet. A post on Baker's Instagram account about his 60 Minutes appearance featured footage of his performance. One of his followers responded to that harrowing clip with the remark, 'The old smash and dash', to which Baker replied: 'F*** heavy.... and yet you wouldn't let me the other day'. Baker appeared as an Australian prisoner of the Japanese in four episodes of the recent critically acclaimed World War II television miniseries The Narrow Road to the Deep North. He has also been seen as one of the notorious 'River Boys' being arrested on Home and Away as well as in NCIS: Sydney, Strife and Last King of the Cross.
Otago Daily Times
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Community spirit shines
For the 16th year in a row, Kahu Youth will be igniting the community spirit on Matariki day with performances, traditional food and storytelling. The appearance of the Matariki cluster of stars is a significant event in the Maramataka, marking the Māori New Year. These stars, also called Pleiades, become visible in June. The Maramataka is deeply connected to the environment, particularly the ocean and its tides, as the moon influences them. In 2022 Matariki became an official public holiday in Aotearoa, but Kahu Youth had already taken the lead on the celebration with an event that began in 2010. The Wānaka Matariki celebration had humble beginnings with just a potluck meal and some storytelling. It has since flourished into a local highlight, complete with local kapa haka, Māori storytelling about Matariki from local kaumātua Darren Rewi and a traditional hangi feeding over 600 people. Kahu Youth operations director Anna Sutherland said despite the event growing over time, some things had not changed. "The thing that has stayed the same is that this event has been run by community spirit," she said. For her, the value of the celebration was its ability to bring the Upper Clutha community together and teach local rangatahi about Māori heritage. Ms Sutherland said around 30 young volunteers were involved this year in the making of the event, giving them the opportunity to learn more about Māori history. "It's really inclusive, and it allows everybody to be involved and learn. So, through that it brings diversity and respect for other cultures," Ms Sutherland said. Leading up to the big day, the event has strung together a network of groups eager to contribute such as the local primary and secondary schools, Te Kakano Trust and the Mana Tahuna Trust which provides support for migrant communities in the lakes district. The seven kapa haka groups performing are from across the region, including groups from Wānaka Primary School, Hāwea Kindergarten and Matariki Tupu Hou, an inclusive group of young and adult performers. Chairman of the Mana Tahuna Charitable Trust Darren Rewi will be doing Māori storytelling relevant to the Lakes region. "Because we're surrounded by the mountains, the arrival of Puanga, which is another star, is what the local tribe used to focus on rather than the Matariki constellation because it sits so low," Mr Rewi said. He highlighted the importance this knowledge has for all attendees, especially young people and the immigrant community. The Matariki or Pleiades constellation holds a special place in many indigenous cultures and Mr Rewi believed this presented a unique opportunity to bring together different ethnic groups across the whole region. "What we find is that a fair amount of people that listen to those stories are overseas visitors," he said. "It gives them an understanding of why New Zealand is celebrating Mātariki and why it's worthy of a holiday." As well as enjoying the new year, the event also aims to represent the values of this holiday, which includes honouring the past, celebrating the present and having hope for the future. Despite the growth of this celebration over the years, the event has managed to maintain respect for the environment and uphold the principles of Matariki. "We don't want this event to be commercialised or about stuff," Ms Sutherland said. "It's about people and place." Set to take place at the Dinosaur Park from 2pm, the celebration will also include a weaving workshop, a lakefront bonfire and a community waiata from 5:30pm.
