Moratorium called on new digital transformation contracts by Quebec government

By Canadian Press on September 7, 2025.

QUÉBEC — An opposition party in Quebec says the government must implement measures to prevent cost overruns before launching itself into any new digitization projects.

The party, Québec Solidaire, made the call for the moratorium in reaction to the ongoing public inquiry into the province’s auto insurance board.

The provincially owned corporation has been mired in controversy for months, after Quebec’s auditor general found that its online platform SAAQclic was expected to cost $500 million more than expected.

It was aimed at simplifying routine tasks but wasn’t as effective as hoped, with problems with accomplishing basic functions using the platform leading to considerable backlogs.

Party spokesperson Ruba Ghazal said all new digitization contracts should be put on hold until recommendations from the inquiry have been issued and put in place.

The opposition party is also calling for a moratorium on all new cost overruns, unless they are first approved through a vote by elected officials at the National Assembly.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 7, 2025.

The Canadian Press

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