The SAAQ has dismissed its VP of digital services
The Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) has dismissed its vice-president of digital experience, Caroline Foldes-Busque.
The Crown corporation confirmed Foldes-Busque's departure on Tuesday, after it was first reported by La Presse.
In an email sent to La Presse Canadienne, the SAAQ said Foldes-Busque had been 'relieved of her duties' and would be replaced by Luc LeBlanc. LeBlanc is currently vice-president of information technology at Retraite Québec.
'In the current context, where the vice-presidency is facing certain difficulties and opportunities, it is necessary to bring in a manager who can deal with the challenges we are and will be facing,' explained SAAQ spokesperson Gino Desrosiers.
'This is an opportunity to renew our approach. This change is part of a desire to strengthen our ability to deliver reliable, modern, and secure services,' he added.
Foldes-Busque had succeeded Karl Malenfant, who was at the heart of the SAAQclic platform project and whose name has often come up at the Gallant Commission's public hearings.
Foldes-Busque's name also came up during testimony heard by the commission investigating the SAAQ's failed digital transformation.
The manager was first hired by the government corporation in January 2016 as executive director of CASA, the acronym given to the SAAQ's technological modernization project.
Foldes-Busque had just joined the company from Hydro-Québec. And her partner — identified as a close friend of Malenfant — had just landed a consulting contract with the company for the digital transformation, according to what was revealed at the Gallant Commission.
Foldes-Busque's departure comes a month after Eric Ducharme was fired as head of the SAAQ. He was replaced by Vice-President of Policyholder Services, Annie Lafond, who is acting as interim CEO.
Last week, Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault announced the creation of a restructuring unit for the SAAQ.
The unit will be tasked with evaluating the organization's services and proposing ways to improve them. It will also review the financial situation of the corporation.
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