Quebec premier to testify at inquiry into $500M cost overrun scandal at auto board
-
Share on Facebook
-
Share on Bluesky
-
Share on X
- Copy Link
MONTRÉAL — Quebec Premier François Legault has been called to testify at the public inquiry into the cost overrun scandal at the province’s auto insurance board.
Legault’s office and the Gallant Commission confirmed the premier will appear Sept. 2 at the inquiry, which has proven embarrassing to the government a little more than one year before the provincial election. The commission, overseen by Judge Denis Gallant, is examining how the creation of the online platform known as SAAQclic incurred cost overruns of at least $500 million.
“The premier will be fully co-operating with the proceedings. It is important for him that Quebecers have all the answers,” Legault’s office said in a statement on Tuesday.
The online platform’s launch in early 2023 was mired in problems, leading to major delays and long lineups at Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec branches, where Quebecers take road tests, register vehicles, and renew driver’s licences. In February, Quebec’s auditor general revealed that the online platform cost the province more than $1.1 billion — at least $500 million more than planned.
