Éric Caire’s political career faced turmoil following the disastrous launch of SAAQclic in February 2023, which was marred by significant IT failures and budget overruns, escalating from an original $638 million to at least $1.1 billion. Caire, who had dismissed early warnings about the project, resigned amidst growing scrutiny. His past controversies, including misrepresenting his educational qualifications and unresolved ethical concerns regarding a loan, further complicated his legacy. Promises of IT reform during his tenure largely went unfulfilled.
Éric Caire: A Rollercoaster Political Journey
• Additional Reading: Resignation of Éric Caire Amid SAAQclic Scandals
• Further Insights: Political Sacrifice: The PLQ’s Take on Éric Caire’s Departure
• Explore More: SAAQclic Controversy: Éric Caire’s Decisions Under Scrutiny
The SAAQclic Disaster
The launch of SAAQclic in February 2023 turned into a significant setback for Minister Éric Caire, who believed he deserved accolades for his involvement. However, reports soon emerged that indicated he had been aware of potential issues as early as the summer of 2022.
Our sources highlighted serious communication breakdowns and questionable strategic choices made by Caire’s ministry back in June 2022.
In a controversial move, Caire insisted that the SAAQ integrate its Government Authentication Service (SAG) simultaneously with the rollout of SAAQclic. This decision led to a major clash between the SAAQ and SAG, resulting in one of the most significant IT failures in Quebec in the last decade.
At the time, Caire dismissed concerns, asserting that “all indicators were green.” However, as early as 2018, warnings were raised about the potential derailment of the SAAQ’s ambitious IT project. Following his resignation, Caire acknowledged he had not been “cautious enough.”
A recent report from the Auditor General of Quebec revealed that the initial budget of $638 million for the digital transformation of SAAQ had skyrocketed to “at least” $1.1 billion. Prime Minister François Legault has since claimed that his government was misled, with Caire and others asserting they were “deceived.”
Media revelations have surfaced post-report, including that SAAQ’s digital experience vice president, Karl Malenfant, had met with Caire on June 3, 2022, to discuss the project’s cost overruns. Additionally, his former deputy minister acknowledged being aware of the risks that contributed to the massive budget increase.
Notably, just nine days after learning of these overruns, Caire signed an order that allowed the SAAQ to circumvent Treasury Board regulations, obscuring an additional $222 million expense associated with the debacle.
Controversies Surrounding Éric Caire
In September 2009, during his bid for leadership of the Action démocratique du Québec, Éric Caire made headlines for misrepresenting his educational qualifications. His CV suggested he held a university degree in communication from Laval University, while he had only completed a single session in 1993. He attributed the error to a typographical oversight, claiming it was a misunderstanding and referring to his education as an “incomplete degree.”
As the MP for La Peltrie, Caire staked his political career on the completion of a critical infrastructure project, vowing to secure the “first shovel” of dirt before the end of his term. However, this promise went unfulfilled. In a pre-election interview in June 2022, he reaffirmed his commitment to the project, stating he would fight for its realization “until my last drop of blood.”
Adding to the controversies, just before the 2018 elections, acting mayor of L’Ancienne-Lorette revealed that he had lent Caire and his partner $55,000 in 2017. This loan raised ethical concerns, leading to a determination of a “potential conflict of interest,” ultimately requiring Caire to repay the amount, which he attributed to “a very particular family context.”
Despite his strong rhetoric while in opposition, Caire’s term as minister saw little progress in addressing the government’s IT challenges. He had promised significant reforms, including reducing reliance on private firms and improving salaries for IT professionals, yet the use of consultants surged during his tenure. Additionally, many of his proposed initiatives, such as the implementation of digital identity services and the consolidation of data centers, faced significant delays.