Karl Malenfant, former vice president of information technology at the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), has come forward to defend his role in the SAAQclic project amidst allegations of mismanagement. Malenfant refutes claims that the project was a fiasco and asserts that he should not be solely blamed for any shortcomings.
Facing 48 allegations and a notice of censure, Malenfant took a proactive stance before the release of the Gallant Commission’s report. He emphasized that decision-making in the project was a collective effort and pointed out that key stakeholders, including the board of directors and IT firms IBM/LGS and SAP, shared responsibility.
Malenfant revealed a purported conspiracy aimed at tarnishing his reputation, alleging that an IT firm, backed by a lobbying entity, orchestrated a character assassination strategy against him. Despite these challenges, he maintains that the SAAQclic system is operational and disputes the notion that it has been a billion-dollar failure.
His lawyer, Jean-François Bertrand, supported Malenfant’s actions, highlighting the need for a fair presentation of his client’s version of events. Meanwhile, industry experts suggest that the focus should not be solely on Malenfant, with potential implications for other officials, such as former ministers Geneviève Guilbault and Éric Caire.
As the controversy unfolds, questions remain about the accountability of all involved parties and the necessity for transparency in public projects. The outcome of the Gallant Commission’s report will shed light on the complexities surrounding the SAAQclic initiative and may have broader implications for similar ventures in the future.
