Quebec Premier François Legault has appointed Gilles Bélanger as the new minister of cybersecurity and digital technology, following the resignation of Éric Caire.
The leadership change comes after a provincial auditor general's report revealed significant cost overruns linked to the auto insurance board’s online platform, SAAQclic.
Bélanger, a member of the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) government, previously served as a legislative assistant to both Legault and Finance minister Eric Girard. He also oversaw the rollout of high-speed internet in rural areas after the CAQ's 2018 election victory.
"He's a seasoned businessman," Legault said, as quoted by The Canadian Press, describing Bélanger’s qualifications as he announced the appointment on Friday. Bélanger expressed readiness to take on the new role and indicated he would prioritize reviewing ongoing information technology projects.
According to The Canadian Press, the transition follows Caire's resignation on Thursday, in which he maintained he had acted appropriately but admitted the controversy surrounding the online platform had become a distraction to the government.
"I have nothing to reproach myself for, apart from not being suspicious enough," Caire said.
The auditor general's report found that the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) incurred at least $500 million in cost overruns while developing the SAAQclic platform.
The total cost of the project has now exceeded $1.1 billion. The report also disclosed that $222 million in additional expenses were deliberately concealed to avoid "media and political risk."
The platform, launched in 2023, was intended to modernize customer services, including vehicle registration and road tests. However, its rollout was marred by technical problems that led to long wait times and service disruptions across SAAQ branches.
Legault acknowledged the problems highlighted in the auditor general's findings and called Caire's resignation an "honourable" decision. He emphasized that his administration would thoroughly investigate the matter and expressed a zero-tolerance stance toward any mismanagement.
"There are still all kinds of questions," Legault said, adding that he expects full transparency from those involved.
While Caire and other ministers, including Transport minister Geneviève Guilbault and former transport minister François Bonnardel, have said they were unaware of the extent of the cost overruns, opposition parties remain unconvinced.
Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon suggested that corruption may have played a role in the rising costs. Opposition parties, including the Quebec Liberal Party and Québec solidaire, have called for a public inquiry to determine how the project's costs escalated beyond initial estimates.
Legault has thus far resisted these calls, arguing that there is no clear evidence of corruption but leaving open the possibility of further investigations. The government has requested inquiries from the province’s financial watchdog, Autorités des marchés publics, and the anti-corruption police.
The SAAQclic controversy has raised questions about governmental oversight and accountability in major public projects. As Bélanger steps into his new role, the provincial government faces ongoing pressure to provide answers.
Should the Quebec government authorize a public inquiry into the SAAQclic platform's rising costs? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
