Relationship to Government

The Alberta Automobile Insurance Rate Board (AIRB) was established through the Insurance Act in October 2004 as an independent, quasi-judicial regulator. The AIRB is responsible for regulating automobile insurance premiums in Alberta. The AIRB serves all Albertans – the public, industry, and government – through its functions and statutory duties and responsibilities.

AIRB decisions are made independently of the government and pursuant to the AIRB’s enabling legislation.

Board Governance

The AIRB is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of seven members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, a consumer representative appointed by the Minister, and the Superintendent of Insurance who is a non-voting member of the Board. The AIRB’s Board Members bring a broad range of expertise and experience.

The Board meets regularly to discuss administrative issues and exercise its mandate. It also holds a public Annual Review meeting to hear from stakeholders on the state of the industry.

The Board approves the vision, mission, values, strategic priorities, and goals that guide the AIRB. The Board sets goals for performance as part of the business planning process, and these goals are the basis for evaluating performance and accountability.

The Board’s governance processes and guidelines that outline how they carry out their duties align with the Government’s Public Agencies Governance Policy.

Code of Conduct and Ethics

The Code of Conduct and Ethics applies to all Board Members and employees. This code reflects a commitment to the AIRB’s values and provides a framework to guide ethical conduct. Board Members and employees are expected to behave in a way that supports this code.

As an independent agency established by the Minister of Finance to regulate automobile insurance premiums in Alberta, the AIRB has an obligation to Albertans to ensure that there are no conflictions between the private interest of Board Members/employees and their duty to the public. At the same time, it is recognized Board Members and employees should enjoy the same rights in their private dealings as any other citizens, unless it can be demonstrated that a restriction is essential to the public interest.

Charter of Expectations

The AIRB adopted the following guiding principles to provide an understanding of the roles, expectations, and responsibilities of each Board Member.

• Assume a stewardship role for governing AIRB business affairs.
• Act in the highest ethical manner and with integrity in all personal, business, and professional dealings.
• Become knowledgeable about the AIRB’s mandate, responsibilities and operation environment, as well as the emerging trends and issues in the automobile insurance industry.
• Commit a sufficient amount of time and attention to the work of the AIRB.
• Act in a way that contributes to the effective operation of the Board.