Quebec's anti-corruption police open investigation into SAAQclic fiasco
Poster for the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) in Montreal, May 7, 2025. (Christinne Muschi/The Canadian Press)
The Anti-Corruption Commissioner (PBC) announced Thursday afternoon that he has opened an investigation into the CASA/SAAQClic IT project of the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ).
In a press release, the Commissioner stated that he had opened an investigation at the end of February 2025 'concerning possible wrongdoing in the management of the CASA/SAAQClic IT project' after 'studying the report of the Auditor General of Quebec.'
The Commissioner is asking 'anyone who has relevant information to share regarding this case' to fill out the form on the CLCC website or to contact the Unité permanente anticorruption (UPAC).
The Commissioner specified that he will not provide any details regarding the ongoing investigation.
The CLCC is a police force whose mission is 'to ensure, on behalf of the State, the coordination of actions to prevent and combat corruption in the public sector.'
It directs and coordinates the investigative teams that make up the UPAC.
$500 million in cost overruns
The SAAQ's digital transition project could cost at least $1.1 billion by 2027, $500 million more than expected, according to the Auditor General's report published last February. The SAAQ's failed digital shift led to long lineups outside branches in 2023 and sparked debate in the National Assembly, putting the Legault government on the defensive, embarrassing it, and even forcing one of its ministers, Éric Caire, to resign.
The Legault government has consistently defended itself, claiming to have been duped.
The fiasco is also the subject of a public inquiry by Judge Denis Gallant.
The 'Commission of Inquiry into the Management of the Modernization of the Société de l'assurance automobile's IT Systems' began at the end of April and will continue through the summer.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 5, 2025.
By Stéphane Blais, The Canadian Press
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
33 minutes ago
- CBC
U.S. ambassador says Canadians facing device searches, detainment 'not a pattern'
The U.S. ambassador to Canada is pushing back on Ottawa's travel advice, saying his country doesn't search phones at the border and arguing some Americans travelling to Canada are having a tough time. "We welcome Canadians to come in and invest, to spend their hard-earned Canadian dollars at U.S. businesses," U.S. Ambassador Pete Hoekstra told The Canadian Press in an interview Friday. "If a Canadian has had a disappointing experience coming into the United States, I'm not denying that it happened, but I'm saying it's an isolated event and it is not a pattern." In April, Ottawa updated its advice to Canadians travelling to the United States to warn them about the possibility they might be detained if denied entry. "Expect scrutiny at ports of entry, including of electronic devices," reads the new guidance. There have been reports of Canadians facing intensified scrutiny at the border, having phones searched and, in some cases, being detained. WATCH | Canadian visits to U.S. plummet over fears of new security measures: Canadian visits to U.S. plummet over fear of harsh new security measures 2 months ago Duration 2:08 Canadians are making fewer trips to the U.S. over fears about the Trump administration's harsh new security measures, including the heightened possibility of being detained. Statistics Canada says air travel is down 13 per cent, and land travel is down by almost a third. Hoekstra insisted concerns about device searches are not grounded in reality. "Coming to the U.S., that's a decision for the Canadians to make. Searching devices and all of that is not a well-founded fear. We don't do that. America is a welcoming place," he said. Americans also scrutinized at border: Hoekstra He said some Americans have expressed similar concerns about Canada. "I've heard that from Americans coming into Canada as well, OK? Saying, 'You know, we've not received a warm reception when we've gotten to Canadian customs,'" he said. When asked if these reports from American travellers involve arbitrary phone searches and lengthy detainment, Hoekstra said there are consular cases of Americans complaining to the embassy about the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). "We've said, 'OK this may have been an isolated event. There may have been a Canadian border person who was having a bad day, and thought they'd take it out on, you know, somebody across the border,'" he said. In a statement, the CBSA said its officers follow a code of conduct and the federal ethics code that both require them to treat everyone equally, and that the agency investigates any complaints of mistreatment. "Employees are expected to conduct themselves in a way that upholds the values of integrity, respect and professionalism at all times," wrote spokesperson Karine Martel. "Treating people with respect, dignity and fairness is fundamental to our border services officers' relationship with the public and a key part of this is serving all travellers in a non-discriminatory way." Hoekstra said travel to the U.S. is up to individuals. "If you decide that you're not going to come down or whatever, that's your decision and you're missing an opportunity. There are great things to see in America," Hoekstra said. He also noted the case of CNN journalist Christiane Amanpour, who recently said she prepared to visit the U.S. last month as if she was "going to North Korea" — with a "burner phone" that didn't carry any personal information — only to experience a warm welcome. "It's like, [let's] get past the rhetoric and let's look at the real experiences that people are having here," Hoekstra said. Airlines have been cutting flights between Canada and the U.S. due to a slump in demand, and Flight Centre Travel Group Canada reported a nearly 40 per cent drop in flights between the two countries year-over-year in February. A survey in early May conducted by Leger Marketing for the Association for Canadian Studies found 52 per cent of respondents feel that "it is no longer safe for all Canadians travelling to the United States," with 29 per cent disagreeing and 19 per cent saying they were unsure. Roughly the same proportion said they personally feel unwelcome in the U.S. 2SLGBTQ+ groups have opted against attending World Pride events in Washington and United Nations events in New York, citing scrutiny at the border as the Trump administration scales back protections for transgender and non-binary people.
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.
