'I'd like to get my money back? Wouldn't you want your money back?' Philippe LeBlond asked in an interview this morning.

LeBlond operates a local bike repair shop. He's one of approximately 40 Yukoners who is currently without insurance on his vehicle or business because of invalid policies issued by a broker at Territories Insurance Solutions in Whitehorse.

In a press release issued last Friday, the Yukon government advised all citizens holding policies from Territories Insurance Solutions to get in touch with the company named on their documents as soon as possible.

Policies for automobiles, recreational vehicles and homes are suspected to be affected.

'We are especially concerned that Yukoners may not have the genuine insurance coverage they purchased, which puts them and their chattels at risk,' Fiona Charbonneau, the territory's superintendent of insurance, said in a statement last Friday.

'People with automobile insurance from Territories Insurance Solution may not be legally covered, which may inadvertently place them in violation of the law,' she added.

LeBlond purchased his vehicle insurance at the end of April, and followed that with his business policy at the end of May.

He paid approximately $1,400 to his broker.

After hearing an announcement on the radio about a possible scam, he called his insurance companies and discovered his policies were never issued.

'Even though I have the pinks (slips showing proof of insurance),' he said.

Steven Horn, the government's chief legislative lawyer, told the Star the initial complaint was brought to Charbonneau on June 25.

The issue was raised by an insurance company that had contacted Charbonneau regarding Territories Insurance Solutions owner Joann Walker issuing a policy for which she didn't have any authority, said Horn.

The complaint caused an initial investigation by Charbonneau. That left the suspicion that there were approximately 15 people affected by false policies, added Horn

An Alberta investigator was called in to examine Walker's files and policies during the first week of July.

Charbonneau's initial estimates have now more than doubled.

The investigator has filed a draft report, said Horn, and a final report will soon be available and a hearing held into the matter.

A ruling on the situation is expected by Aug. 31, he said.

In the meantime, Walker's licence has been suspended until the conclusion of the probe.

Charbonneau and Walker have been in contact, said Horn.

However, Walker is not returning phone calls nor taking new clients.

A sign has been posted on the Territories Insurance Solutions' door stating she is on vacation until July 25.

'Nothing like this has happened before in the Yukon,' said Horn.

There was a similar case in Alberta recently, though, where approximately 700 people were affected, he said.

LeBlond said his feeling is that no one really seems to know what's going on.

'Is it some kind of SNAFU or did she do it on purpose?' he asked.

Horn said ultimately there may be a criminal investigation, though the RCMP are not involved at this point.

'It's rather disappointing,' LeBlond said of the situation.

LeBlond was recently forced to move his business out of his Lewes Boulevard home to a school bus on Fourth Avenue.

He said the move, the purchase of the bus, an assault this past spring and now this have made it a tough year so far.

But, he added though the insurance issue may have slowed him down, it won't put him out of business.

LeBlond spent Wednesday making phone calls regarding his insurance and was planning to begin getting his vehicle and business reinsured today.

The government is exploring options for compensation for individuals left without insurance coverage.

No details have been released.