In the wake of the digital conversion fiasco at the Quebec auto insurance board (Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec - SAAQ), the opposition is calling for the heads of three CAQ ministers.
On Wednesday, the Liberal Party called for the departure of Digital Affairs Minister Éric Caire, Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault and her predecessor François Bonnardel, in particular for trying to cover up the setbacks of the SAAQclic system.
Premier François Legault indicated that he still has confidence in Caire.
An article in the daily newspaper “Le Devoir” revealed on Wednesday that Karl Malenfant, one of the senior officials responsible for setting up the system at SAAQ, met Caire on numerous occasions and warned him of the project’s failings.
Last week, an auditor general report indicated that this fiasco would cost $500 million more than expected, for a total of $1.1 billion.
Until now, the CAQ government has denied any responsibility, insisting that it had not been informed and had even been lied to.
However, according to Official Opposition Leader Marc Tanguay, Legault cabinet members cannot escape ministerial responsibility.
“They’re not assuming their ministerial responsibilities, and the consequence is that they’re leaving, clearly,” he said in a news scrum on Wednesday morning.
Is he calling for the resignation of the three ministers? asked a journalist.
“Yes, and that’s not my decision. We can ask for the minister’s resignation every day, but we won’t get it. It’s up to François Legault to realize the importance of what’s going on. He’s hiding the truth and his ministerial responsibility is being flouted. As a result, the minister has to leave,” said Tanguay.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Feb. 26, 2025.
