The finance department at the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) has uncovered potential risks that could result in budget overruns at the onset of their digital transformation initiative.
During the Gallant Commission on Monday, Francine Lépinay, a former manager in the SAAQ finance department, disclosed crucial information regarding the SAAQclic project debacle.
Back in 2018, Lépinay’s team devised a comprehensive risk mitigation plan for the CASA IT project contract. This strategic document, which highlighted risks and control strategies, was meticulously presented to the state-owned company’s management committee to ensure transparency and vigilance throughout the project.
Marie-Claude Sarrazin, the prosecutor for the commission of inquiry, emphasized that the document accurately identified all potential risks that ultimately impacted the project’s budget. The pivotal question raised was whether the SAAQ’s organizational control team effectively implemented the planned control measures.
Lépinay testified that her department was only informed of contract adjustments post-implementation. She noted that the project office operated with significant autonomy, which occasionally led to delays in sharing critical information with the finance department.
When questioned about potential consequences of delayed information sharing, Lépinay admitted that corrective actions could be taken retrospectively. She acknowledged that while delays were not the norm, the fast-paced nature of the project might have led to certain analyses being overlooked or delayed.
The Auditor General of Quebec estimated that the SAAQ’s technological overhaul, including the SAAQclic platform, could cost upwards of $1.1 billion, exceeding the initial budget by at least $500 million.
