SAAQclic Scandal: Overview
SAAQclic is the online platform developed by the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) — Quebec's automobile insurance board — as part of a broader digital transformation program called CASA (Carrefour des services d'affaires).
Total cost overrun
Years of project
Total potential cost
The platform was intended to centralize and modernize SAAQ services including:
- Driver's license renewals and applications
- Vehicle registration
- Road test appointments
- Various driver and vehicle-related transactions
The CASA (Carrefour des services d'affaires / Business Services Hub) program was launched to replace over 200 legacy IT systems, some dating back 45 years. The transformation involved converting approximately 10 billion data records.
| Phase | Description | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Livraison 1 | Internal management (back office) | Delivered December 2019 |
| Livraison 2 | Driver's licenses, registration, SAAQclic platform | Delivered February 2023 (with major issues) |
| Livraison 2.5 | Billing modernization | Not delivered |
| Livraison 3 | Disability management | Not delivered |
“The project exceeded its budget by at least $500 million — nearly double the original estimate.”
Cost Explosion
| Metric | Original (2017) | Final Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Total Budget | $638 million | $1.1 billion+ |
| Main Contract | $458 million | $797 million+ (with amendments) |
| Potential Total | — | Up to $3 billion |
Massive Cost Overruns
The project exceeded its budget by at least $500 million — nearly double the original estimate.
Failed Launch
The February 2023 launch was plagued by technical failures:
- Website crashes and server overloads
- Inability to complete transactions
- Weeks of long lineups outside SAAQ offices in freezing temperatures
- Car dealers unable to register vehicles for customers
Hidden Information
The Auditor General found that:
- Cost overruns were known as early as 2020 but hidden from decision-makers
- Performance indicators were manipulated to show "green" status
- Tests were incomplete (20% of final integration tests not performed)
- Warning signs from multiple consulting firms were ignored
Contractual Issues
- A Quebec firm (CGI) offered to do the project for 29% less ($135M cheaper) but was eliminated before price envelopes were opened
- SAP was involved in defining project requirements before the bidding process, giving them an unfair advantage
- Contract splitting was used to avoid oversight thresholds
Ongoing Dependency
Despite the failures, the SAAQ remains dependent on LGS/SAP for system maintenance, with an additional $110+ million in contracts awarded in 2024.
- Éric Caire (Minister of Cybersecurity and Digital Technology) resigned on February 27, 2025
- Éric Ducharme (SAAQ CEO) was reassigned in July 2025
- Premier François Legault was called to testify at the public inquiry
- Multiple ministers (Guilbault, Bonnardel, LeBel) faced questioning about their knowledge
- Auditor General Report (February 2025): Revealed the scope of failures and cost overruns
- Gallant Commission (April-October 2025): Public inquiry — 826-page report released February 2026
- UPAC Investigation (ongoing): Anti-corruption unit investigating potential fraud and breach of trust
- Autorité des marchés publics (AMP): Found SAAQ undermined fair competition principles
The SAAQclic debacle has become a symbol of government IT project failures in Quebec. It has prompted:
- Calls for reform in public contract oversight
- Delays in other major digital transformation projects (including in the health sector)
- Political damage to the CAQ government ahead of the October 2026 election
- Broader questions about IT project management in the public sector
For detailed timeline, see Timeline