Quebec Premier François Legault Testifies at SAAQclic Inquiry

Quebec Premier François Legault is set to testify on September 5, 2025, at a public inquiry addressing significant cost overruns associated with the province’s auto insurance board, the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ). The inquiry, led by Judge Denis Gallant, is scrutinizing the launch of the online platform SAAQclic, which has reportedly experienced cost overruns exceeding $500 million.

“I was the one who launched a public inquiry; it’s important that Quebecers know exactly what happened,” Legault stated last week. He emphasized his commitment to transparency, asserting, “I certainly don’t like what I’ve been hearing from the beginning about the SAAQclic case.” Despite this, Legault insists that he was unaware of the financial issues until a recent auditor’s report revealed the extent of the overruns.

Legault, alongside his chief of staff Martin Koskinen and former general secretary of the executive council Yves Ouellet, will be among the key figures to provide testimony. Earlier this year, the Quebec auditor general disclosed that the total cost for the SAAQclic platform had surpassed $1.1 billion, raising questions about the management and oversight of the project.

Testimony has indicated that warnings about potential cost surges may have reached Legault’s office as early as 2020. Ouellet reportedly received notifications in September 2022 about a $222 million shortfall related to the platform’s delivery. The rollout of SAAQclic in early 2023 was marred by significant delays, resulting in long queues at SAAQ branches, where residents typically handle road tests and vehicle registrations.

Inquiry Focuses on Political Accountability

Since its initiation in April 2025, the inquiry has heard from multiple former SAAQ board members and officials. Recently, attention shifted to political figures, including Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault. During her testimony, she faced questions about documents revealing that her office had been briefed on cost overruns in June 2023. Guilbault initially claimed she had no recollection of these documents but later acknowledged that they were part of a meeting agenda with the former SAAQ president.

In a December 2024 letter to Legault and Koskinen, Guilbault described the situation as “intolerable” and raised concerns about the leadership of the SAAQ, which serves approximately 6.5 million Quebecers. She stated, “Has anyone worried about the mess I’ve been cleaning up for the past two years because of the SAAQ? I don’t get that impression.”

The inquiry has also scrutinized the actions of former Transport Minister François Bonnardel, who expressed frustration over insufficient information regarding the project’s finances. Bonnardel criticized the SAAQ for failing to provide a clear financial picture during his tenure, highlighting that he received misleading documents that excluded operating costs.

The fallout from the inquiry has already led to significant personnel changes. The SAAQ’s president and CEO, Éric Ducharme, was reassigned in July 2025. Meanwhile, former Minister Éric Caire, who oversaw the digital transition, resigned amid growing pressure after the auditor’s report. Caire admitted to being aware of budgetary issues in 2021 but did not grasp the full extent of the financial complications.

Implications for Legault’s Government

The ongoing inquiry poses potential risks for Legault’s administration, particularly with the final report expected by December 15, 2025, just ten months ahead of the next provincial election slated for October 2026. The inquiry’s findings could shape public perception and influence the political landscape in Quebec.

The commission’s investigation into the SAAQclic scandal underscores the critical need for accountability and transparency in government operations. As the inquiry unfolds, it remains to be seen how these revelations will impact the future of Legault’s government and public trust in provincial institutions.

This article is based on reporting by The Canadian Press.