Quebec's auto insurance board has suspended its secrecy policies and will release documents to anti-corruption investigators and a public inquiry examining cost overruns tied to its digital platform, SAAQclic.
The Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) confirmed its board of directors met on Saturday to authorize the move, after it was revealed the state-owned insurer had initially refused to provide records on the grounds of attorney-client privilege. The refusal drew sharp criticism from Premier François Legault, who is expected to testify before the Gallant Commission this week.
Board chair Dominique Savoie said transparency was essential to restoring trust. She noted that the decision to set aside secrecy rules was taken quickly by both leadership and the board.
The controversy stems from Quebec’s auditor general finding that SAAQclic, designed to modernize scheduling and other customer services, was on track to cost $500 million more than expected. Instead of easing access, the platform led to widespread disruptions in 2023, forcing many drivers to line up in person at branch offices.
The overruns have sparked concerns not only about governance but also about the operational stability of Quebec’s public insurance system. Auto insurance in Quebec is delivered through a hybrid model in which the SAAQ provides mandatory bodily injury coverage, while private insurers handle property damage and vehicle protection. Failures at the public insurer risk eroding public confidence in the system as a whole.
The disclosure of documents will also aid Quebec’s procurement authority, which has been tasked with reviewing SAAQ’s contracting practices.
Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault, who had pressed the board to release full and unredacted documents, welcomed the decision. She previously warned that no obstacles to disclosure would be tolerated.
The SAAQ’s difficulties echo challenges faced by other public auto insurers in Canada. Manitoba Public Insurance and British Columbia’s Insurance Corporation (ICBC) have both grappled with rising costs and public frustration tied to modernization efforts. Like Quebec, these insurers balance a mandate to provide universal coverage at stable rates with the financial risks of large-scale technology upgrades.
Analysts note that overruns and service disruptions can have long-term implications, from eroded policyholder trust to political scrutiny over rate-setting and claims management. For Quebec, the outcome of the Gallant Commission and the police investigation could shape not only governance reforms at the SAAQ but also how the province approaches the future of its public insurance model.
