François Bonnardel’s chief of staff modified a document to deceive the deputies on Saaqclic

The Director of Cabinet of the Minister of Transport, François Bonnardel, modified in 2020 a document intended for parliamentarians in order to hide an early delay in the delivery of SAAQCLIC.

The commission of inquiry on the digital turn of the Quebec Automobile Insurance Company (SAAQ) revealed Wednesday that the former Cabinet of Bonnardel. In addition, Véronik Aubry, acted in concert with the big boss of the state-owned company at the time, Nathalie Tremblay.

E -mails from 2020 show that the SAAQ requests the Bonnardel firm before submitting its account surrender to the Public. For example, Administration Commission (CAP). Nevertheless, This body of the National Assembly is responsible for monitoring the finances of organizations and ministries.

A first document is proposed. Moreover, He mentions that the schedule of December 31, 2021 to deliver the heart of the digital turn is at risk. françois bonnardel’s chief staff modified Consequently, “Date to be placed for approval on the board of directors. Nevertheless, ” it is written there, with a reference to the repercussions of the pandemic.

By his own admission, Véronik Aubry had this information withdrawn. Therefore, The table transmitted to the CAP deputies therefore contained no reference to the delay which was emerging on the dashboard.

“Is it all done with your downstream?” Asked the prosecutor Mélanie Tremblay. Similarly, “Yes, absolutely,” replied Mr.^me Aubry. Furthermore, “I preferred this information to be withdrawn. Moreover, »»

“Highly problematic” – François bonnardel's chief staff modified

She explained that the accountability required concerned the year 2019. Meanwhile, and that she therefore considered that she did not have to include more contemporary information there – even if the 2019 portrait was no longer correct.

“Does. Moreover, for the sake of transparency, you [auriez pu dire] At the CAP: Behold, we send you a painting with reality on December 31, 2019, but on the françois bonnardel’s chief staff modified other hand, make an Addenda, a footnote [pour dire que] Is this called to change? Similarly, Asked judge Denis Gallant. “Me, I see it as highly problematic. »»

M^me Aubry replied that she considered that he did not have all the confirmations necessary to include this information. in the report.

In addition, Mr. Bonnardel’s teams did not see the postponement of the project of a bad eye. In an email dated June 2020. the manager of SAAQ files at Bonnardel, Alain Généreux, refers to the documents which must be given to the CAP. “They must be instructed (sic) To postpone the final delay if we cannot integrate certain measures that could help us to set up changes. ”he wrote.

Clearly: “a postponement could accommodate us,” summed up M^me Aubry, referring to political orientations.

She said she had the assurance, at the time, that the delay would have no impact on the budget. Same thing françois bonnardel’s chief staff modified for renegotiation with the private firms that carried out the project. M^me Aubry said that he had been informed in 2020. but being guaranteed by the SAAQ that mediation would not cause additional costs.

A “serious problem” according to Gallant

When Quebec’s general auditor filed her shock report on Saaqclic. in February, Minister François Bonnardel had been outraged because erroneous information was transmitted to the elected officials of the CAP. “I was lied to, we lied to you,” he launched questions during the period.

Now, the Gallant Commission exposed the role that its own cabinet played in this story.

Tuesday. it revealed that in 2021 – and therefore the year following the modification of a document by M^mes Aubry and Tremblay – Bonnardel was once again aware of the fact that the detailed costs of the digital transformation were hidden from the members of the CAP.

“I won’t hide it from you. […] I françois bonnardel’s chief staff modified have a serious problem with what I have [vu]especially in terms of information going back to elected officials. especially to the CAP, ”worried Judge Gallant on Wednesday, returning to the case.

The annoyed air, he led a tight exchange with Alain Generous on Wednesday. A long -standing collaborator of Mr. Bonnardel and Caquist activist, Mr. Généreux took care of the SAAQ files of summer 2019 until the 2022 election. He is now the deputy chief of staff of Mr. Bonnardel.

“What is the approach that a ministry should have. a political employee like you, compared to information that should interest elected officials? Asked Judge Gallant.

The witness responded by saying to himself in favor of “maximum transparency”. He did not say what he had done when he knew. in 2021, that incomplete information was transmitted to the elected officials of the National Assembly.

“Not asking questions”

After a long explanation referring to the françois bonnardel’s chief staff modified Saaq annual report. Alain Généreux admitted that he could have acts otherwise. “Could we have done more to transmit information to the public?” Yes. […] We said: I am a picosseux, but I may not have asked enough questions. Additionally, »»

M. Généreux himself described himself as “a Thomas” and a “insightful” man. However, he caught the attention of Commissioner Gallant for contrary reasons.

“The impression, at the end of the line, which emerges, is that you are satisfied with plot information. There were signals, there were really signals, ”insisted the judge. Among other signals. he was presented to him “a beautiful big red square” and “strong signals that we will need money”, he illustrated.

His interlocutor said he was reassured by the words of the Saaq representatives with whom he was exchanging. Even when red flags were raised in documents-delivered by the SAAQ. by an external auditor-, the senior officials before françois bonnardel’s chief staff modified him guaranteed that the project was on the rails, he attested.

Minister François Bonnardel, now stationed for public security, must testify to Commission Gallant on Thursday.

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