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A major new controversy over cost overruns is disrupting the Coalition Avenir Québec campaign just days before a crucial televised debate between the two leaders.
The CAQ government led by Christine Fréchette came under fire following a Radio-Canada report stating that the cost of an information technology project in Santé Québec had ballooned from an initial budget of about $96 million to about $1 billion.
Opposition parties seized on the report on Monday, and compared it to the SAAQclic scandal, a digital transformation project at the Société de l’assurance car du Québec (SAAQ) that ultimately cost taxpayers more than $1 billion.
“I think what we heard was absolutely outrageous,” Liberal Leader Charles Milliard told reporters Monday.
Québec solidarity spokesperson Ruba Ghazal said Quebecers were once again witnessing “another SAAQclic failure.”
The Liberal Party accused Fréchette, who previously served as president of the Treasury Board, of ignoring warning signs about the project.
“He took the KPMG report and threw it in the trash and signed for some more money. So he’s responsible,” said Monsef Derraji, a Liberal candidate in Nelligan.
Conservative Leader Eric Duhaime also drew parallels to the SAAQclic controversy.
“Another SAAQclic failure, the reality is worse,” Duhaime said.
France-Élaine Duranceau, Quebec Minister responsible for Government Administration and National Efficiency, President of the Treasury Board, and Minister of Cybersecurity and Digital Technologies rejected the criticism on Monday, arguing that the reported $1 billion figure does not reflect the actual cost approved for the project.
In a statement posted on social media, Duranceau said the project approved by the cabinet had a budget of $329.4 million and described the higher figure as a projection based on what he called “faulty working assumptions.”
Duranceau said the government chose to continue with the project rather than cancel it, which he said would have meant losing money already invested, paying fines for breaking contracts and failing to get a modern system.
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The minister also defended the initiative, saying it is expected to generate savings of $1.2 billion and accused opposition parties of oversimplifying the issue.
Milliard accused the CAQ government of hiding information from the public. “They withheld information,” he said.
Fréchette was absent from the campaign trail on Monday as she prepares for a crucial week in the election campaign.
The leaders of Quebec’s five major parties will face each other in two televised French-language debates, events widely seen as a potential turning point in the race.
Parti Québécois Leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon also kept a low profile Monday, making no major announcements as he focused on debate preparations.
Meanwhile, three new polls released Monday all ranked the PQ first. However, surveys show support for the party has stabilized and is not continuing to increase.
Opinion polls show the Liberal Party and CAQ are neck and neck for second place.
Having benefited politically from concerns surrounding the trade conflict with US President Donald Trump, Fréchette appears to have lost momentum in recent weeks.
At the same time, Milliard continues to face challenges in expanding support among French-speaking voters.
“A poll is a poll. What’s important is making our program known,” said Milliard.
The Liberal leader acknowledged the importance of the upcoming debate.
“The upcoming three national debates will be the perfect opportunity for Quebecers to compare what’s in our hearts,” he said.
The Conservative Party remains in fourth place, ahead of Québec Solidaire, according to recent polls.
On Monday, the Conservative Party unveiled a proposal to reduce access to certain social benefits for immigrants. “We are the only party that focuses on economic issues and says that those who come here to abuse the system are not welcome,” Duhaime said.
The first leaders’ debate will take place Tuesday night on TVA in a “face-to-face” format that will feature the leaders engaging in back-to-back face-to-face exchanges with their opponents.
A second debate involving all five major party leaders is scheduled for Wednesday in Noovo.
There will be no English-speaking leaders’ debate during the campaign after the CAQ and PQ refused to participate.
