Former saaqclic CEO Urges Quebec to Learn From Project’s Collapse, Expresses Concern Over Future Major Initiatives
Quebec City – Nathalie Tremblay, former CEO of the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), is calling for greater clarity in government project costing and oversight following the failed launch of the SAAQclic online platform. Tremblay testified before the Commission examining the project’s downfall, emphasizing the need for standardized definitions of key financial metrics and stronger internal controls. Her remarks come as the province grapples with the fallout from the multi-million dollar failure and seeks to rebuild public trust in its ability to deliver large-scale digital projects.
The SAAQclic project, intended to modernize Quebec’s vehicle registration and driver’s license services, was plagued by delays and ultimately scrapped after years of development and notable public expenditure. tremblay’s testimony centers on the importance of establishing consistent understanding of project finances, specifically “the total cost of acquisition” and “the expected profits,” concepts she says were consistently debated throughout the commission’s investigation. She advocated for a centralized, transparent system of record-keeping, stating, “Let us get along, that it wants to say the same thing for everyone.[…] A ministerial note, a past table […] And it is indeed this same data that circulates for everyone.”
Tremblay also pointed to a lack of autonomous budget oversight, suggesting the firm EY, tasked with monitoring the project’s development, should have been responsible for rigorously tracking expenses. Though, she cautioned against adding layers of bureaucracy, arguing that the internal verification department lacked the necessary objectivity. “But Great God, don’t add controls […] in current management of the field,” she stated.
Beyond immediate project management improvements,tremblay stressed the need for Quebec to bolster its internal IT expertise to reduce reliance on external technology firms. “It is in the execution that is the issue,” she insisted, warning of continued vulnerability without a stronger in-house skillset.
Visibly emotional,Tremblay expressed her worry about the future of major projects in Quebec,questioning weather leaders would be willing to take on aspiring initiatives in the wake of the SAAQclic debacle. “What leader will dare to undertake major projects? Because we need it,” she said, before directly addressing her former colleagues with a plea: “Do not let go, you are able.”
