It is also the home of Pizza Hut, Quiznos, Subway, Domino's Pizza and, of course, we have the good old KFC and A&W downtown. Mr. Speaker, these and other eateries, pubs and restaurants are an essential part of our city life. Mr. Speaker, what has been happening is they have been suffering under the burdens of all kinds of increases, taxes, garbage collection fees, cost of fuel and, in particular, the WCB premium rates have been going up for the classification they are in by 25 percent every year for the last four years. This is the maximum amount an increase can be given to a classification, as I learned this morning at a meeting, Mr. Speaker. I really appreciate the staff at WCB for organizing and attending the meeting. Fortunately for us, I have learned at this meeting that the governance council has the mandate to review the classification and rates each year. I would like to call upon them to look at this situation ASAP.
Mr. Speaker, I need to tell you that they have a virtual ratepayer revolt on their hands. This issue has to be addressed immediately. We cannot allow the rate for one class to go up by 25 percent each year for four years in a row and not look at it to see what the problems are and put our heads together to solve them.
Mr. Speaker, all the mathematical and statistical information might explain how they got there, but they do not justify this kind of increase. Mr. Speaker, the ratepayers want to work with the WCB and consider all options on how to address them. We all need to listen.
Mr. Speaker, I don't believe anyone in this House would put up with a 25 percent increase in their auto or home insurance every year without asking very legitimate questions.