NDP demands inquiry into ICBC research centre

B.C.'s New Democratic Party is calling for an independent inquiry into activities at the Insurance Company of British Columbia's Burnaby research centre.

NDP Leader Carole James wants to know if staff have been repairing damaged vehicles and reselling them without informing buyers.

"As many as 174 writeoffs were repaired and resold to unsuspecting buyers,'' James told provincial parliament in Victoria Thursday.

"It's about safety and the public being ripped off.''

ICBC describes its Burnaby research centre as a state-of-the art facility used to train staff who repair and resell vehicles that have been involved in accidents.

The Material Damage Research and Training Centre does vehicle repair research and training and employs 12 people. About 20 vehicles are fixed at the facility each year.

Two weeks ago, ICBC said it had temporarily shut down the centre and launched an investigation.

The Crown-owned insurer said it wants to ensure all repairs were properly documented and disclosed to buyers. 

B.C. Solicitor General John Les has confirmed that PriceWaterhouse Coopers is auditing the research centre's activities. Lawyers are also involved, he said.

"We need to find out what happened, if anything, and if there were illegal dealings here or inappropriate conduct, it'll be dealt with properly,'' he said.

Les said the research centre has reopened, but no vehicles will be sold there while the investigation is underway.