Watchdog rebukes Quebec auto insurance board after $500M online platform scandal

QUÉBEC — Quebec’s scandal-plagued auto insurance board has been hit with another blow, this time from an independent government agency that oversees the province’s public procurement markets.

The Autorité des marchés publics says the auto board — Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec — failed to manage public funds responsibly in its development of the online platform known as SAAQclic.

The board was the subject of a public inquiry last year after the auditor general revealed the platform was expected to cost taxpayers at least $1.1 billion, or $500 million more than anticipated.

The watchdog says that among its failings, the auto board had modified essential elements of the framework agreement that changed the nature and cost of the work.

As well, the board also allegedly divided up contract requirements to avoid complying with accountability obligations.

As a result, the watchdog has issued several recommendations including that the board’s auditors conduct a real-time audit of the framework agreement and related contracts and report results every six months.

The botched 2023 rollout of the platform led to major delays and long lineups at insurance board branches, where Quebecers take road tests, register vehicles and access other services.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 13, 2026.