To address the challenges faced by government departments and agencies in managing information technology (IT) projects, a proposal for the establishment of a “Quebec Information Technology Corporation” has been put forward by Pierre-André Hudon, an expert in major public project governance.
Hudon, who is an associate professor at Laval University’s Department of Management, presented this recommendation during a session of the Gallant Commission. This commission is conducting an inquiry into the difficulties encountered during the digital transformation of the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), with the final week of public hearings currently underway.
The core idea behind Hudon’s suggestion is the creation of a centralized unit dedicated to IT expertise to assist government entities in managing their projects effectively. He highlighted the lack of internal capabilities within many departments to handle IT projects and the prevalent practice of outsourcing such tasks to private firms.
According to Hudon, establishing a specialized unit could provide essential support to government departments by keeping abreast of market trends, aiding in project planning, translating technical requirements into clear estimates, and offering independent and reliable cost assessments. Drawing inspiration from the Société québécoise des infrastructures (SQI), which offers services related to construction and property management, Hudon envisions a similar model for IT support within the government.
The Ministry of Cybersecurity and Digital Technology (MCN) is identified as a potential key player in this setup, although it currently lacks specific provisions for contract support and management, as noted by Hudon.
