Quebec Premier François Legault (pictured above) will reorganize his cabinet next week and delay the start of the fall legislative session until September 30, as his government struggles with sinking popularity and fallout from a major scandal tied to the province’s auto insurance board.
The Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) has been under scrutiny for significant cost overruns linked to its digital modernization program. The controversy has raised questions about project oversight, accountability, and the government’s ability to manage large-scale public sector initiatives.
For Legault’s Coalition Avenir Québec, now nearly seven years into power, the scandal has become a flashpoint for criticism and contributed to a steep drop in voter support.
Legault’s office said the cabinet shuffle aims to bring “new momentum” and allow for “fresh ideas.” It marks only the second major reset of his front bench since 2018, the last taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The shakeup also comes as Municipal Affairs Minister Andrée Laforest announced her departure from provincial politics. She will run for mayor of Saguenay in November, leaving another key gap to fill in cabinet.
For insurers and other stakeholders, the SAAQ debacle underscored the reputational and operational risks tied to public-sector governance failures. The cost overruns not only strain provincial finances but also erode public trust in an institution that plays a central role in managing auto insurance coverage across Quebec. Analysts suggested that how the government handles both the fallout and the leadership changes could shape confidence in the SAAQ’s long-term stability and service delivery.
With the legislative session pushed back two weeks, Legault will have a narrow window to reset his government’s agenda and reassure both voters and industry observers that the province’s auto insurance system remains on solid footing.
