Quebec auto insurance board SAAQ dismisses IT boss

A sign outside the Quebec auto insurance board - SAAQ. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

Quebec auto insurance board has dismissed its vice president of digital experience, Caroline Foldes-Busque.

The Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) confirmed the departure of its IT boss, which was first reported by La Presse on Tuesday morning.

In an email sent to The Canadian Press, the SAAQ said that Foldes-Busque had been “relieved of her duties” and would be replaced by Luc LeBlanc.

LeBlanc is currently vice president of information technology at Retraite Québec.

“In the current context, where the vice-presidency is facing certain challenges and opportunities, it is necessary to bring in a manager who can address the challenges we are facing and will continue to face,” explained spokesperson Gino Desrosiers. “This is an opportunity to renew our approach. This change is part of a commitment to strengthen our ability to deliver reliable, modern, and secure services.”

Foldes-Busque succeeded Karl Malenfant in January 2024, who was at the heart of the SAAQclic platform project and whose name comes up constantly in the public hearings of the Gallant Commission.

Foldes-Busque’s name also came up during testimony heard by the commission investigating the SAAQ’s failed digital transition.

The manager was first hired by the state-owned corporation in January 2016 as general manager of CASA, the acronym given to the SAAQ’s technology modernization project.

Foldes-Busque came from Hydro-Québec, and her spouse—identified as a close associate of Malenfant—had just landed a consulting contract with the corporation for the digital transition, according to what was revealed to the Gallant Commission.

Foldes-Busque’s departure comes a month after Éric Ducharme was dismissed as head of the SAAQ. He was replaced by Annie Lafond, Vice President of Policyholder Services, who is serving as interim CEO.

Last week, Transportation Minister Geneviève Guilbault announced the creation of a restructuring unit for the SAAQ.

The unit will be tasked with evaluating the organization’s services and proposing ways to improve them. It will also review the financial situation of the state-owned corporation.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 12, 2025.