The Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce is talking about a way to get more people out of their cars.
As part of its Bold Initiative, aimed at the provincial party leaders during the election campaign, it's raising the idea of a pay-as-you-drive insurance system.
Drivers' premiums would be based on the number of kilometres they rack up.
"Using the GPS technology is really tracking how much you're driving and then the insurance would be reflective of the actual consumption or the amount of mileage you're putting on your vehicle," said Loren Remillard from the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce.
Some drivers say that would penalize families who rely on their vehicles to get to work and school.
"If you have kids and a family of five, your wife and two kids, three kids, you're not going to fit them on the bus just to go here to there," said driver Tim Boucha.
Remillard said the current insurance system is based on risk. The more you drive, the greater the risk of an accident, and that pushes up the cost.
Pay-as-you-drive is based on the risk concept, as well, said Remillard. If you drive less, your risk and premiums go down.
The whole idea is to battle climate change.
"Pay-as-you-drive is an option to say, 'Let's reward environmentally responsible behaviour, such as driving less, and using public transportation more,'" said Remillard.
The idea is one of 200 in the Bold Initiative.
