By Jeff Sanford
Toronto, Ontario — October 9, 2015 — In a bid to reduce auto insurance rates, the Ontario government has announced that David Marshall has been hired to advise the government on strategies to shrink costs.
Marshall takes the role of Advisor on Auto Insurance and Pensions effective February 1, 2016. As an advisor to the Minister of Finance, Marshall will provide recommendations to the government.
Marshall has served as the President and CEO of the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) for the last six years. He will apply the expertise he developed at WSIB in active claims management practices to identify additional opportunities for auto insurance reform. The goal of these reforms is to lead to better health outcomes, lower costs and more affordable insurance premiums.
“Reducing auto insurance rates and implementing the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan are key initiatives in the government’s plan to build Ontario up,” according to the government press release announcing the appointment.
Prior to joining the WSIB, Marshall served in several senior executive roles in both the public and private sectors. In the Government of Canada, Marshall has served as Assistant Auditor General of Canada, Assistant Deputy Minister at Revenue Canada, Assistant Deputy Minister at Employment and Immigration Canada, Deputy Receiver General and Deputy Minister of Public Works and Government Services. In the private sector he has held the post of Vice Chairman of CIBC responsible for the bank’s mortgage, insurance and credit card businesses as well as global operations. His appointment is for a one-year term with an opportunity to renew for another year.
According to the government press release, “Affordable auto insurance is important to Ontario’s more than 9.5 million drivers who rely on cars to get to work, school and take part in community activities.”