SAAQ crisis: Transport minister leaves Europe, returns to Quebec
Posted March 7, 2023 10:23 am.
Deputy Premier Geneviève Guilbault is cutting short her trip to Europe, which began on March 1, to return to Quebec to help resolve the customer service crisis affecting the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ).
Her return was confirmed Tuesday to The Canadian Press by Louis-Julien Dufresne, press secretary for Guilbault.
At the end of last week, Guilbault, who is also minister of transport, announced that as of Monday, the SAAQ would obtain reinforcements to counter the heavy traffic at many branches caused by the hiccups in the transition of services to the SAAQclic online portal.
However long queues made up of angry customers were again observed in front of branches in several regions of Quebec on Monday.
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The minister also announced that depending on the number of visitors, the opening hours would be extended in the morning and at the end of the day, and that services would be offered by appointment on weekends.
Some 150 additional employees were to be gradually assigned to SAAQ customer services starting Monday.
People who have to wait in line can consult the daily reception capacity of each service centre on the SAAQ website.
The SAAQ’s digital platform was intended to allow customers to carry out most transactions online.
Since its launch on Feb. 20, 103,000 Quebecers have successfully used it among the 335,000 clients served.
—This report by La Presse Canadienne was first published in French and translated by CityNews
