Quebec's anti-corruption unit reveals it's been investigating SAAQclic debacle for months
Quebec's anti-corruption unit, known as UPAC, announced on Thursday it has been investigating the chaotic rollout of SAAQclic for more than three months.
The unit had been analyzing the available information surrounding Quebec's automobile insurance board's failed digital shift but would not confirm whether it had initiated an investigation.
The anti-corruption commissioner, who co-ordinates UPAC's operations, confirmed the news of the investigation in a news release Thursday.
Given the "exceptional circumstances" surrounding the issue and after having studied the scathing report by the province's auditor general, the commissioner said the team launched an investigation at the end of February into "possible wrongdoing in the management of the CASA/SAAQclic IT project."
Mathieu Galarneau, spokesperson for the commissioner, indicated in the statement that no further details on the ongoing investigation would be provided.
The rollout of the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ)'s digital platform is also being investigated by the Gallant commission — a public inquiry presided over by Denis Gallant, which began on April 24.
So far, there have been several revelations, including a fourfold increase in the hourly rates of consultants. A former internal auditor at the SAAQ also told the inquiry that several people who won calls for tenders for "strategic resources" had professional ties with Karl Malenfant, the former vice-president of the SAAQ's digital experience and the project director for CASA.
François Geoffrion, who sat on the SAAQ's board of directors from 2013 to 2022, told the commission the board knew that the digital transformation project was "risky" and had "all the flaws."
At the end of May, Jérôme Verreault, a former financial controller at SAAQclic, explained to Gallant and his team that payment delays were "exploding" and the SAAQ even received "notices of termination of services" from its suppliers.
The public inquiry will continue throughout the summer.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
2 teens in life-threatening condition following crash in south Ottawa, police seeking witnesses
A police vehicle sits outside the Ottawa Police headquarters on Elgin St. in this undated photo. (CTV News Ottawa) The Ottawa Police Service is seeking witnesses to a serious two-vehicle collision that left two teens in life-threatening condition in south Ottawa Friday afternoon. Police say they received a call at around 6 p.m. reporting 'a vehicle had struck farm equipment' at Twin Elm Road and Brophy Drive. When crews arrived at the scene, they found that the driver of the farm equipment was not injured. However, two teens were seriously injured. They were taken to CHEO in life-threatening condition. 'Investigators would like to speak with anyone who witnessed the collision or may have dashcam footage of this incident,' police said in a news release Saturday. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call the Ottawa Police Service Fatal Collision Investigation Unit at 613-236-1222, extension 2345, or Crime Stoppers toll-free at 1-800-222-8477 to remain anonymous.
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Man's death in Sainte-Thérèse, Que., linked to potential chemical poisoning
A man died after a possible chemical poisoning in Sainte-Thérèse, Que., on Friday night, according to police. Shortly before 10 p.m. on Friday, Sainte-Thérèse police received a 911 call reporting two people having health problems. Police said when officers arrived at the scene, they found a man and a woman who were unconscious. Neighbouring homes were temporarily evacuated as a preventive measure after police found chemical products used for outdoor work nearby. First responders carried out CPR on the victims and brought them to the hospital, where the man was pronounced dead. Several police officers needed medical attention after inhaling fumes, but they have been released from care. The Quebec coroner's office and police are investigating.
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Married couple behind new Dawson City pizza place living their dream with shared business
There's no shortage of eateries in Dawson City, Yukon and now Kurt's Pizza is the newest restaurant where a husband and wife duo say they're living their dream as newlyweds, opening a new business in Dawson City. Kurt MacPherson and Lindsay Kirk moved to Dawson from Saskatchewan in February for a new start somewhere they can spend more time together. "It was our intention to have a business that we can both work together, not be going in separate directions in order to have a life together. It's been perfect for us," Kirk said. Kurt's Pizza is a small mobile trailer located on Second Avenue beside the CIBC bank. The inside is just big enough for the pair to move around in. It's equipped with a fridge, a counter with cutting boards and a stone oven built by MacPherson the average day MacPherson takes orders, and works the oven, while Kirk tops the pizzas. Dawson City already has two pizza restaurants but MacPherson said the friendly competition just makes him work harder. "I think it's good for business if it keeps everybody on their toes," he said. "You don't get lazy kind of thing, you know?" He said it's all in good fun, and isn't trying to step on anyone's toes but simply adding his pizza to the mix of the town's options. MacPherson said they've only been living in Dawson a few months but he knows it's going to be their home for at least a while. He said he's already dreaming of plans to expand his establishment into a full eat-in restaurant to serve the community all year long.
