Controversy has erupted over the SAAQ’s decision to hide $222 million in cost overruns for the SAAQclic project during the 2022 election. An investigation revealed the board’s strategy to obscure these costs to avoid media scrutiny. Despite recognizing the risks, the board opted for a path that delayed public disclosure. Liberal MP Monsef Derraji has called for transparency, seeking board meeting records, although much documentation remains redacted, raising concerns about government officials’ involvement.
Controversy Surrounding SAAQclic Cost Overruns
During the 2022 election season, the board of directors at the Société d’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) made the controversial decision to conceal the cost overruns associated with the SAAQclic project, citing concerns over “high media and political risk.” This revelation has sparked significant scrutiny and calls for accountability.
Investigation Reveals Troubling Decisions
An alarming finding from the Auditor General of Quebec’s report on the SAAQclic project has drawn attention, particularly from Liberal MP Monsef Derraji. The investigation uncovered that the SAAQ board approved a strategy to break down the project’s cost overruns, effectively allowing them to go unnoticed by both the public and the media.
In September 2022, senior management at SAAQ submitted a request to the board to address the staggering cost overruns of $222 million for the CASA/SAAQclic project. They presented two potential courses of action: one involved modifying an existing contract to pay the additional funds to SAP and LGS, which would necessitate disclosure on the Quebec government’s Electronic Tendering System (SEAO). The alternative option aimed to obscure these costs by combining various contractual commitments, thereby delaying any public disclosure.
Despite recognizing the legal and financial risks associated with the second option, the board chose this path, prioritizing the avoidance of media scrutiny during a politically sensitive time. As the election campaign progressed, the board’s decision led to the signing of multiple amendments, including a $45.7 million adjustment in November 2022, which cleverly fell just below the SEAO publication threshold.
The interim leader of the PLQ, Marc Tanguay, criticized this strategy as a deliberate act of political maneuvering. He expressed frustration over the apparent lack of accountability among ministers involved in the situation, calling it a “Legault fiasco” and demanding transparency in the handling of the SAAQclic project.
Liberal MP Monsef Derraji is determined to uncover the truth behind the SAAQclic project and has formally requested the minutes from the board of directors’ meetings. However, much of the provided documentation is heavily redacted, leaving open questions about whether ministers were aware of the risks and cost overruns. Derraji believes that discussions regarding cost increases took place, indicating a deeper level of involvement from government officials.