Quebec Auto Board Controversy May Become Biggest Scandal Since Charbonneau Commission

The Quebec government is facing a major controversy that could be the biggest political scandal in the province since the Charbonneau commission, which uncovered deep corruption in the construction industry, according to observers.

The scandal surrounding the digital transformation of Quebec’s auto insurance board, which resulted in half a billion dollars in cost overruns, has been dominating headlines in Quebec ever since the auditor general released a scathing report almost two weeks ago. It has already led to the resignation of one minister in the province’s Coalition Avenir Québec government.

On Sunday, Premier François Legault announced the launch of a public inquiry to investigate the matter further, following reports suggesting that members of his government were aware of issues with the board’s new online platform before its disastrous launch.

Émilie Foster, a former CAQ member of the legislature and adjunct professor of political management at Carleton University, stated that Quebec has not witnessed a scandal of this magnitude since the Charbonneau commission—a public inquiry that looked into corruption in the construction sector. Foster described the auto insurance board scandal as a major controversy unlike anything seen in Quebec for a long time.

In early 2023, the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec experienced significant issues with the launch of its new online platform, SAAQclic, leading to long delays and queues at SAAQ branches where Quebecers conduct various transactions related to driving.

Foster mentioned that people had to endure long lineups and wait times in freezing temperatures just to visit the SAAQ.

The scandal resurfaced last month when the Quebec auditor general disclosed cost overruns totaling at least $500 million in the development of the online platform, bringing the total cost to over $1.1 billion.

Although initially, Legault’s ministers claimed they were unaware of the escalating costs and accused the auto board of deception, media reports have since suggested that several ministers and the executive council office were informed about the issues before the platform’s launch in February 2023.

Under mounting pressure, Éric Caire resigned as the cybersecurity and digital technology minister last Thursday.

In a Radio-Canada interview on Monday, Legault insisted that he had no prior knowledge of the cost overruns or the ensuing chaos. He stated that the inquiry would conclude before the next election in October 2026.

Foster highlighted that the SAAQclic scandal does not currently seem to involve government corruption like the Charbonneau commission did. However, she warned that the inquiry could pose significant challenges for a government already facing declining popularity in the polls. “This is a major exposure risk,” she cautioned. “The government will be constantly on the defensive.”

Martine Valois, a law professor at Université de Montréal, remarked that the controversy exposes unresolved issues identified by the Charbonneau commission, including inadequate oversight of public contracts.

She also noted a lack of expertise within the public service, which makes the government vulnerable to companies who take advantage of officials with limited knowledge to evaluate the products they purchase.

Last week, the government requested the province’s financial watchdog and anti-corruption police to investigate the matter. However, opposition parties insisted on a public inquiry, which Legault finally agreed to over the weekend.