By Patrick Book

Saskatchewan government strips insurance benefits for car thieves

May 5, 2011 | 6:50 AM

The Saskatchewan government has started the process of stripping insurance benefits for car thieves after introducing amendments that would prevent them from receiving income replacement, rehabilitation, or injury benefits if they crash after stealing a car.

SGI Minister Tim McMillan insists other motorists don't want to see thieves benefitting from potentially dangerous crimes.

“It shouldn't be watered down one cent to somebody that is stealing their property and potentially putting their families at risk,” he told reporters after Question Period Wednesday afternoon at the Legislature in Regina.

McMillan concedes benefits have only been paid out fewer than a half-dozen times a year, but there's no way to predict when such a situation could arise.

“Your typical auto thief is probably not driving in a safe manner like our normal public is so the chance of accidents is probably higher. Their demographic is younger and less experienced and obviously they're prone to making bad decisions.”

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The changes are modelled after a recent Manitoba decision. McMillan says with support from the NDP opposition they could come into effect by the close of the spring legislative session later this month.