The government announced on Wednesday the departure of the president and CEO of the Société d’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), Denis Marsolais, who found himself at the heart of the turmoil after having piloted a bumpy digital transition.
Mr. Marsolais, in office since 2021, was replaced by Éric Ducharme, who until now was secretary of the Treasury Board.
In a press briefing, Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault said the purge could continue.
“Once we have calmed down the situation and people are done waiting outside and it will recover, we will take the time to look at things, she said. By appointing a new CEO, he will be able to examine each of the departments exactly, there are also vice-presidents at the SAAQ, managers everywhere. »
Two weeks ago, Prime Minister François Legault had promised to evaluate the work of Mr. Marsolais and the board of directors of the SAAQ. Mme Guilbault said Mr. Ducharme would also have a role in dealing with the administrators.
“He is not the one who appoints the members of the board, but if he sees problems or anything, he reports directly to me, he can share his findings,” she said.
Minister Geneviève Guilbault explained Wednesday that planning problems were at the root of the failures that led to the replacement of Mr. Marsolais. According to her, it was foreseeable that the interruption of services for three weeks for the implementation of a new computer system would then cause a large influx.
Despite this, M.me Guilbault praised Mr. Marsolais, whom she has known personally for 10 years. She has tried to alleviate the difficulties he has had to face, even if she has found “gaps” in recent weeks.
“I worked with him in other different settings before I got into politics,” she said. He is a quality man, a quality manager. He had a huge challenge on his hands, he was the one who had the first step in the conversion of government services, it was not easy. »