Quebec’s automobile insurance board decided to abruptly close its Montréal-Nord service point on Tuesday morning following an administrative investigation into corruption.
This Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) service point, located on Léger Boulevard, was managed by a representative of the local chamber of commerce, the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Montréal-Nord (CCIMN).
In 2023, clients complained that some employees there were engaging in behaviours resembling financial corruption.
“Our administrative investigation service decided to analyze whether the allegations were founded,” said Gino Desrosiers, spokesperson for the SAAQ.
When that investigation turned up serious concerns, a complaint was filed with Quebec’s anti-corruption unit, the Unité permanente anticorruption (UPAC).
“The situation was major. It involved much more than one person,” said Desrosiers.
Desrosiers said the administrative investigation led management to conclude that the trust between the CCIMN and the SAAQ was broken.
“Therefore, we ended the business relationship,” he said, noting the allegations do not involve a breach of personal data.
“At no time was the confidentiality and integrity of client data compromised. We’re dealing with other types of behaviour that justify asking UPAC to conduct an investigation.
The SAAQ’s senior management decided to pull the plug on the service point, which served up to 300 clients per day.
The decision to close the service point is final and cannot be appealed, Radio-Canada has learned.
UPAC spokesperson Mathieu Vidal told Radio-Canada that a complaint from the state corporation was received and that UPAC is evaluating the situation. That evaluation could lead to an investigation and potential charges, he added.
In a written statement on Tuesday afternoon, the CCIMN expressed surprise at the closure.
The CCIMN stated that it is working closely with the SAAQ to clarify the circumstances surrounding the event, insisting that it is not involved in the alleged corruption.