SAAQclic hearings constructing ‘narrative’ that doesn’t reflect ‘reality’: former IT boss

The former IT boss of the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) believes that the hearings of the commission of inquiry into the SAAQclic fiasco are constructing “a narrative” that does not reflect “the reality of the SAAQ story.”

Karl Malenfant posted a message on LinkedIn on Tuesday, the same day he was scheduled to meet behind closed doors with the Gallant commission.

Malenfant explained what prompted him to request participant status last June. He wanted to “help correct the narrative” he had heard throughout the public hearings.

“I noticed that a narrative was being constructed that did not correspond to the reality of the SAAQ’s history. Dozens of people who were at the heart of this case share my opinion,” he wrote in a long message contained in a five-page document shared on social media.

He was denied participant status in early July by Judge Denis Gallant, who is chairing the commission. This status would have allowed the former SAAQ vice-president of information technology to defend himself, including by cross-examining witnesses.

Malenfant, whose name has come up repeatedly since the hearings began, also spoke about his summons to appear in camera. A week earlier, he had attempted to have the meeting cancelled, arguing that the public would not be able to hear his entire testimony.

His request was also denied by Gallant last Friday.

“Following these two refusals, I have no idea why I am being asked to appear in camera. I also have no assurance that the commission wants to hear the whole story supported by documentary evidence,“ said Malenfant.

He went on to list a series of issues that he wants to try to convince the commissioner are ”crucial to ensuring that everyone has a complete understanding of the case.”

These issues “must be discussed publicly, so that every stone in the file can be turned over,” he added.

In his Aug. 1 decision on the closed-door meeting, Commissioner Gallant said Malenfant will testify at public hearings, “likely in mid-September.”

The commissioner indicated that Tuesday’s meeting is part of the preliminary phase of the commission’s work. It aims “to determine the topics that will be covered … and to select the relevant documentary evidence that will be presented” to Malenfant during his public testimony.

It should be noted that the SAAQ’s failed digital transition is expected to cost taxpayers at least $1.1 billion by 2027, which is $500 million more than originally estimated, according to calculations by the Auditor General of Quebec.

The Gallant Commission will resume its work on Aug. 18.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews