Former Quebec Minister Admits Awareness of Auto Board Budget Overruns

The former Quebec Minister of Cybersecurity and Digital Technology, Éric Caire, has acknowledged that he was aware of budget overruns in the provincial auto insurance board’s digital project during his tenure. Caire’s testimony came during a public inquiry conducted by the Gallant Commission, which is examining the significant financial discrepancies related to the creation of the auto board’s online platform.

During his statements, Caire addressed an email exchange from September 2021 with his chief of staff. In this correspondence, he expressed skepticism regarding the claim that a shortage of human resources was solely responsible for the challenges facing the IT initiative known as CASA. At that time, Caire noted that the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec had been experiencing delays and cost overruns “for a long time.”

Cost Overruns Revealed

Caire admitted to the inquiry that while he was aware of the project exceeding its budget, he was not fully informed of the extent of these overruns. His remarks followed a damaging report released in February by the province’s auditor general, which revealed that the overall costs for the online platform had exceeded projections by at least $500 million. This brought the total expenditure to over $1.1 billion.

This inquiry has garnered significant attention as it raises questions about the management and oversight of public projects in Quebec. Premier François Legault is slated to testify at the inquiry next week, further highlighting the ongoing scrutiny of the government’s handling of the CASA project.

The Gallant Commission aims to shed light on how these financial discrepancies occurred and to ensure accountability for future public spending. As the investigation unfolds, the implications for both current and former officials involved in the auto board’s digital transition could be far-reaching.

This report was initially published by The Canadian Press on August 27, 2025, and continues to develop as further testimonies are delivered.