Fiasco Saaqclic: Karl Malenfant refuses to be questioned behind closed doors

The great manager of the digital transition of the Quebec Automobile Insurance Company (SAAQ). Similarly, Karl Malenfant, rebelled against the will of the Gallant Commission to re-examine him in camera, on August 5, according to a request obtained by Radio-Canada. Similarly, This interrogation must be a prerequisite for the holding of his public testimony, scheduled for this fall.

Such a closed door obviously aims to obtain its version of the facts confidentially. Moreover, will have the consequence that the public will not be able to hear the entire testimonywe read in the request sent to the commission by the lawyer of Mr. Consequently, Malenfant, Me Jean-François Bertrand. Consequently,

He asked Commissioner Denis Gallant to break the obligation to appear transmitted to his client.

Karl Malenfant has already met the commission investigators at the beginning of May fiasco saaqclic: karl malenfant refuses during an interview with closed. Additionally, Consequently, microphones which will have lasted approximately three hours.

However. Meanwhile, the Commission sent him a new assignment to appear in camera for August 5, but this time, in the presence of Commissioner Gallant. Consequently,

Me Bertrand protests against this new summons. Similarly, We don’t fiasco saaqclic: karl malenfant refuses tell him “you’re going to come and meet the investigators”. However, He is said to be “you are going to come and testify on August 5, but behind closed doors”. Therefore, This is what is unique. Consequently, I have not seen that for any other witness. in any other commission of inquiryhe claims in an interview with Radio-Canada.

A commission of inquiry. we do this for the public. By definition, everything that is happening in the public is not correct. It violates the very spirit of a commission of inquiry.

That’s wrongretorts the spokesperson for the Gallant Commission, Me Joanne Marceau, who maintains that this procedure has already been used for other witnesses, assigned to appear under constraint. However, fiasco saaqclic: karl malenfant refuses she is careful not to reveal the exact number.

She adds that all witnesses. forced or not, were first questioned by investigators or prosecutors of the commission, before being called at the helm during public hearings.

Commission employees have heard more than 150 people in these closed -door meetings. Only 45 of them appeared publicly.

Me Marceau recalls that only The testimony made within the framework of the public hearing will be considered In the final report of the Commission. expected for December 15, 2025.

Let us recall that Denis Gallant refused to grant Karl Malenfant the status of participant in the Commission. which would have enabled him to file documents in evidence and to oppose witnesses.

Fiasco saaqclic: karl malenfant refuses

Malenfant’s freedom of expression is flouted. says his lawyer

In his request, Me Bertrand disputes the very fiasco saaqclic: karl malenfant refuses validity of the regulation which grants Commissioner Denis Gallant the power to force people to participate in preliminary investigations.

In dispute: article 59 of the regulations. procedures of the commission of inquiry, which beacked the powers of constraint to summon witnesses to a closed hearing in the preliminary phase of the public inquiry.

Can we say without laughing that we are still in the preliminary phase, after 35 days and 365 hours of testimonies? Ton Me Bertrand in an interview.

Karl Malenfant. his team ask as well as Rule 59 is declared inoperative under article 52 of the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms. They argue in particular that the summons to appear violating the freedom of expression of the old framework of. the Saaq.

The name of Mr. Malenfant is omnipresent in the testimonies heard so far to the Commission. It was he who directed the major project to modernize digital systems of the Saaqbaptized CASAwhich. among other things, led to the SAAQCLIC platform, whose failures and cost -effects have been largely documented.

In a February 2025 report, the Quebec CEO estimated that the project would cost, at the very least, $ 1.1 billion, $ 500 million more than anticipated.

Karl Malenfant. through his lawyer, disputes these figures, as well as the label fiasco Adjoked to the project he has been overseen.

Malenfant wants destroy the narrative commission

On the phone. Me Jean-François Bertrand suggests that commission fiasco saaqclic: karl malenfant refuses prosecutors would use rule 59 for other purposes than those to hear the fact of your client’s facts.

According to him, the investigators, the prosecutors and the commissioner Gallant would seek to know Mr. Malenfant’s defense arguments to better contradict them at the public hearing.

Are we trying to find out if it will happen with elements. that destroy their narrative? I am not in their shoes, but some certain, they are unhappy with rule 59.

An innuendo that makes me sug -make Joanne Marceau. On the contraryshe said, Commissioner Gallant would be present to preserve rights of M. Malenfant during his interrogation.

There is just the commissioner who can use the power of constraintexplains Me Marceau. who quotes the law on commissions of inquiry.

A witness who is obliged to appear benefits from several protections, including that not to be in lineexplains the spokesperson.

Mr. Gallant would be present during the interrogation to fiasco saaqclic: karl malenfant refuses ensure that these protections. which do not exist that for witnesses who are forced to come and testifyare respected, advance me Marceau.

Certainly, Mr. Malenfant will indeed testify to the hearings of the Gallant Commission, assures Me Joanne Marceau.

According to our information, his testimony should take place somewhere between September 15 and October 3, in Montreal.

The public hearings of the Gallant Commission must resume on August 18.