Delay in Eric Ducharme's testimony before the Gallant Commission probable
Changing Tune: Judge Denis Gallant Brushes Aside SAAQ's Urgent Request to Call Éric Ducharme to Testify
In a surprising move, Judge Denis Gallant, heading the commission investigating the digital shift of the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ), turned down an immediate testimony request for the institution's top boss, Éric Ducharme.
Despite strong objections from the SAAQ, who felt "offended" by the previous day's testimony of an internal verifier, Judge Gallant maintained that there was no justification for Éric Ducharme's immediate testimony.
Marie-Line Lalonde, a former advisor to the internal verification at the SAAQ, testified on Monday about her experience of dishonesty and contempt from Mr. Ducharme. She described him as a leader who delayed meetings with the internal verification teams by nine months and whose attitude seemed more focused on silence than addressing concerns about the digital transformation.
According to Lalonde, the meeting with the verifiers felt like "being spat upon and being told: 'I don't want your work.'" She portrayed Ducharme as a leader more concerned with avoiding any waves made by the verifiers.
Ducharme's Testimony Delayed Until Summer's End
After Lalonde's testimony, one of the lawyers representing the SAAQ requested Éric Ducharme to be heard immediately by the commission. However, Judge Gallant decided otherwise.
"Tomorrow morning if necessary," lawyer Sébastien Laprise pleaded. "You certainly don't want to shake the public's confidence in our institutions," the lawyer urged the magistrate.
Nevertheless, Judge Gallant ruled in the opening session on Tuesday that Mr. Ducharme will testify before the commission as planned towards the end of the summer. He noted that Ducharme will have the opportunity to present his perspective on Lalonde's testimony and introduce any relevant elements. This approach, according to Judge Gallant, ensures that the commission can make no findings without solid evidence based on Lalonde's testimony.
Judge Gallant reminded that the SAAQ had ample opportunity to cross-examine Lalonde on Tuesday. He emphasized that the commission's schedule did not allow for unnecessary schedule disruptions. Lalonde's testimony, he added, may have raised questions about the internal management of the SAAQ, but he stood firm on his decision to reject the SAAQ's request for an immediate testimony from Éric Ducharme.
It's important to note that Éric Ducharme was appointed by the Legault government on April 5, 2023, to resolve issues with the SAAQ following the chaotic deployment of its SAAQclic platform.
For Your Interest:
- "Like 'being spat on': the boss of the SAAQ rebuked internal verifiers"
- "Donald Trump leaves G7 summit abruptly"
- "The mother of the girl missing since Sunday has been charged with child abandonment"
- Searches resumed in Monteregie to find the three-year-old girl, last seen in Montreal.
On-Screen:
[Video content unavailable. Please check back later.]
- TheLegault government, who appointed Éric Ducharme as the head of the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) to address problems with the SAAQclic platform, may face questions regarding their policy-and-legislation decisions and the politics surrounding the digital transformation, following the commission's investigation and the delay in Ducharme's testimony.
- Tensions between government officials and the media, and the public's reaction towards it, have gained attention in the general news circuit, with the recent delay of Éric Ducharme's testimony and the perceived disregard for internalverifier's concerns by the SAAQ head, adding to the ongoing discussions on the role of politics within policy-and-legislation enforcement.
