Financial difficulties faced by SAAQclic in 2022 identified by authorities.
Scoop on Quebec's Troublesome Digital Transformation: SAAQclic
The Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) is in hot water as its digital shift, dubbed SAAQclic, has taken a nasty turn. The investigation into this mess is now in its second phase, with the Gallant Commission digging deep to uncover the truth.
Former SAAQ Chairman, Guy Morneau, has spilled the beans stating that the SAAQ was inexperienced when it came to digital matters and opted for a state-of-the-art management software solution. However, they certainly should have taken a cue from Hydro-Québec, which had a rocky experience with a similar setup.
The total cost of the digital transformation is expected to surpass a whopping $1.1 billion by 2027, marking a $500 million increase from the initial estimate[1][4]. This investigation is not just about the technical failures and customer service debacle; it's about the significant cost overruns and management decisions[2][4].
The public inquiry is shrouded in controversy over the impartiality of its leaders, and its aim is to shed light on the responsible parties behind the SAAQclic fiasco. They're examining this whole mess from all angles, including the transparency and accountability of its project management[1][2]. The Quebec auditor general has pointed the finger at project management and oversight as the root cause of the cost overruns[1][2].
Details about the refusal to declassify related documents and the direct involvement of former Minister of Cybersecurity and Digital, Éric Caire, in approving additional funds have yet to surface[1][2][4].
As if that weren't enough, the public trust in the SAAQclic platform continues to wane, especially after a major unrelated Microsoft server outage caused the closure of SAAQ service centers in May 2025[3]. This episode has further highlighted the province's digital transformation challenges and stressed the importance of strong oversight mechanisms.
Stay tuned as the investigation continues to unfold, with a focus on transparency and accountability for the project's failures and astronomical costs[1][2][4].
Extra tidbits:
- The SAAQ was lacking in-house digital expertise, which led them to opt for a sophisticated management software solution[1][4].
- The project has faced significant challenges, including those experienced by Hydro-Québec[1][4].
- The public inquiry is probing not only technical failures and customer service meltdowns but also managerial decisions and cost overruns[2][4].
- Quebec's auditor general has linked the overruns to issues in project management and oversight[1][2].
- The investigation is focused on assigning responsibility for the SAAQclic debacle and its financial consequences[1][2][4].
The investigation into Quebec's digital transformation, specifically the SAAQclic project, has moved into its second phase, delving into policy-and-legislation related to the financial management of the project and the decisions made by those in politics. This probe is in response to significant cost overruns and a general-news story that highlights the SAAQ's lack of digital expertise, which led them to pursue a state-of-the-art management software solution. The investigation's aim is to uncover truth about the responsible parties behind the project's faults and financial consequences, scrutinizing issues in project management and oversight.
