Gallant Commission: Three members of the SAAQ board have resigned
Posted August 28, 2025 9:42 am.
Last Updated August 28, 2025 10:03 am.
With the Gallant Commission in full swing and several revelations tarnishing the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), we learned that the government corporation’s board of directors has lost three of its directors in recent weeks.
The information, first reported by Radio-Canada, was confirmed by The Canadian Press on Thursday.
Stéphanie Desforges left her position on the board of directors (BoD) on Aug. 8, Richard Gagnon on July 9, and Louise Turgeon on July 21, SAAQ spokesperson Simon-Pierre Poulin wrote via email.
“The SAAQ is going through a significant transition period, which may lead some members to reevaluate their commitment. This type of turnover is common in evolving organizations,” he wrote.
It was added that the Act respecting the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec stipulates that the Board of Directors must be composed of at least nine members, and with these departures, it currently stands at twelve.
“The SAAQ’s governance remains solid and consistent with public sector best practices. (…) Members are not required to complete their term if they wish to leave early. This is part of how boards of directors normally operate,” writes Simon-Pierre Poulin.
Ce qu’on apprend ce matin est inacceptable. Le gouvernement exige de la SAAQ qu’elle collabore pleinement à l’enquête de l’UPAC. Les Québécois doivent avoir confiance que toute la lumière sera faite.https://t.co/FRLCIxndNX
— François Legault (@francoislegault) August 28, 2025
In a post to social media platform X on Thursday morning, Premier François Legault said:
“What we learned this morning is unacceptable. The government is demanding that the SAAQ fully cooperate with the UPAC investigation. Quebecers must have confidence that the full truth will be revealed.”
The SAAQ has been in turmoil for several months.
The Gallant Commission is expected to shed light on the SAAQclic fiasco, which is expected to cost at least $1.1 billion, $500 million more than expected, according to the Auditor General of Quebec.
Three weeks ago, Transport Minister Geneviève Guilbault stated that as of Dec. 31, the government had accumulated a deficit of $492 million.
It should be recalled that the government dismissed SAAQ CEO Éric Ducharme last July. The Vice-President of Policyholder Services, Annie Lafond, is holding the position on an interim basis.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
