Overrun Overviews: Gilles Bélanger appointed following report of online automotive insurance platform, overspending

Quebec City, Quebec – Gilles Bélanger has reportedly been appointed as the new Minister of cybersecurity and digital technology following a provincial auditor general’s account highlighting the overrun costs of Quebec’s Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) clic online automotive insurance system.

Bélanger is replacing Éric Caire, who resigned from his role following the review of the platform’s inefficiencies.

The auditor general report specifically found that SAAQclic incurred at least $500 million in cost overruns in developing the platform.

Quebec Premier François Legault appointed Bélanger, further acknowledging the problems outlined in the report. In an official statement Legault emphasized that his administration would be investigating the matter, while also expressing a zero-tolerance stance toward any further mismanagement.

Following the concerns listed in the auditor general report, former Minister of cybersecurity and digital technology Caire, Transport Minister Geneviéve Guilbault and former Transport Minister Francois Bonnardel stated that they were unaware of the extent of the cost overruns.

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