SAAQ service centres set to reopen after system outage forced closures across Quebec
The service centres for Quebec's automobile insurance board are expected to reopen Thursday morning.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) was hit with a system outage that ultimately forced it to shut down service outlet across Quebec the following day.
Only people with practical driving exams on the schedule were able to show up to the SAAQ on Wednesday — all other appointments, including road knowledge tests, were cancelled.
The outlets are expected to reopen during regular business hours on Thursday. As of Thursday morning a notice on the website read that services at the SAAQ would resume gradually and people are encouraged to use online services or schedule in-person appointments.
According to Radio-Canada, about 40,000 appointments were cancelled due to the outage. The SAAQ says staff will call people whose appointments were cancelled.
Radio-Canada is also reporting that some service outlets will stay open later than usual, Thursday.
Tuesday's system outage was the latest setback for the automobile insurance board, whose rollout of its online platform SAAQclic in 2023 led to long lineups at service outlets, customer frustration and, ultimately, a $500-million cost overrun. It is now at the centre of a public inquiry.
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