Rewritten Article
SAAQ anticipates a 300 million dollar surplus, questioning its impact on planetary rotation.
In the face of a staggering $300 million overrun at the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), former board chairman Guy Morneau dismissed concerns, stating, "even if it costs 50, 100, 200 million more, it's not going to stop the world."
During a hearing before the Gallant Commission on Tuesday, Morneau argued that such an investment was acceptable for a system that could last up to 20 years. He served as board chairman from May 2013 to January 2016 and testified as part of the commission investigating the SAAQ's digital transition.
Morneau admitted he was "shocked" by the explosion in costs, which he hadn't anticipated during his tenure. However, he downplayed the impact by emphasizing the complexity of the project he helped launch. "I'm not saying it's normal. We try to limit [overruns], but we shouldn't be surprised when it happens," he said.
To tackle the tech-heavy project, the SAAQ needed to partner with a private firm because their internal experts were still managing systems from the 1970s in 2013. This partnership allowed the SAAQ team to update their knowledge and improve their expertise, according to Morneau.
At the hearing, Morneau also defended the choice of Karl Malenfant to lead the digital transformation, stating that he "checked most of the boxes" required for the project's success.
The Gallant Commission, mandated by the Legault government, is investigating this failed digital transformation project known as SAAQclic. Headed by Montreal municipal court Judge Denis Gallant, the inquiry is set to submit its report by September 30, 2025. Since March, the commission has met with around 50 witnesses and requested 10,000 documents, as shared by the commission's chief prosecutor, Simon Tremblay.
Witness testimonies from ministers and deputies still in office will have to wait until June 9, when the commission reconvenes in Quebec. Delays in summoning elected officials are due to the Act respecting the National Assembly, which forbids such calls during the parliamentary session and two days following its conclusion. The spring session is scheduled to end on June 6, 2025.
Nathalie Giguère, an organizational transformation expert, reminded the commission that the Quebec Auditor General had been highlighting shortcomings in the government's digital transformation projects since 2006, pointing out the apparent redundancy of the same recommendations in one report after another.
With Jeanne Claveau-Laviolette
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- The staggering $300 million overrun at the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) has sparked discussions within the sector, with concerns being raised about the impact of such overruns on transport industry finance and business in general-news.
- The Gallant Commission's investigation into the SAAQ's digital transition has shed light on the partnership between the SAAQ and a private firm, raising questions about the role of private companies in public industry projects and the potential consequences for politics and the economy.
- The shift of Mélanie Joly from Foreign Affairs to Industry in the Expanded Cabinet Under New Premier Carney indicates a reshuffle in the government's focus, with emphasis on industry and business, which could have far-reaching implications for finance and political alliances.
