The Gallant Commission’s Final Report and Its Impact on Quebec’s Legislation
The Gallant Commission is set to release its final report on the digital transformation failures of the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) early next year. Concerns have been raised about the report potentially being shelved without any real change being implemented. However, history shows that public commissions of inquiry in Quebec have had a meaningful impact on legislation and systems.
Commissioner Denis Gallant is scheduled to present his findings and recommendations to the Legault government by Feb. 13 in an effort to avoid a repeat of past failures like the SAAQclic episode. The implementation of these recommendations may hinge on the political will of decision-makers.
Past inquiries in Quebec have demonstrated a trend of action being taken on proposed measures. Martine Valois, a law professor at Université de Montréal and legal counsel for the Gallant Commission, highlights the importance of public scrutiny in pushing for tangible outcomes from these inquiries.
The impact of commission recommendations on Quebec’s laws has been significant, with various legislative changes being enacted over the years. Public pressure and media coverage play crucial roles in ensuring that reports are not shelved and that recommendations are implemented by the government.
The commission led by Judge France Charbonneau, for instance, has been instrumental in bringing about changes in public contract management practices. The commission’s recommendations have led to the creation of the Autorité des marchés publics, which oversees contract awards at different levels of government.
Overall, commissions of inquiry in Quebec have played a key role in addressing issues in public institutions, proposing solutions, and driving legislative changes. These efforts have resulted in Quebec having some of the most advanced legislative measures and systems globally.
Keyphrase: Quebec legislation impact
