What is Commission Gallant and why does it matter to investors?

Commission Gallant is Quebec’s public inquiry into the SAAQclic scandal. It found SAAQ officials misled the government and public, with costs projected up to C$1.1 billion. The report lists 26 reforms for oversight and procurement. For investors, that means stricter checks, slower awards, and higher compliance costs across public sector IT.

How will Quebec procurement reform change bidding?

Expect clearer business cases, central oversight for high‑risk IT, and stage‑gate approvals before go‑lives. Budgets should disclose total cost of ownership and contingencies. RFPs will add traceability, risk logs, and stricter acceptance tests. This favours vendors with strong governance, while increasing timelines and documentation burdens for everyone bidding in Quebec.

What risks do vendors face after the SAAQclic scandal?

Legal exposure may rise on disputed deliverables. Commission Gallant raises expectations for accurate reporting and executive sign‑off. Firms could see audits, tougher milestones, and slower payments until tests pass. Compliance hiring can compress margins. Vendors with direct SAAQclic ties face the greatest scrutiny on contracts, invoices, and communications.

What should investors track in 2026?

Watch Quebec exposure by revenue, backlog, and win rates. Compare book‑to‑bill, margins, and cash flow to prior years. Monitor RFP cadence, award dates, and any legal actions the premier pursues. Check whether vendors publish stronger audit trails and delivery dashboards that show progress against budgets and service levels.

Law and Government

February 17: Commission Gallant Flags SAAQ Lies, Quebec IT Crackdown

ByDanny Kontos February 17, 2026February 17, 2026

Commission Gallant has reshaped Quebec’s public sector IT playbook. The inquiry found SAAQ officials misled the government and public about the SAAQclic rollout, with costs swelling to as much as C$1.1 billion. The report’s 26 recommendations point to tighter governance, centralized oversight, and clear accountability. The premier is weighing legal action. For investors, the SAAQclic scandal signals near‑term contract and compliance risk across public sector IT vendors as Quebec procurement reform takes hold. We explain what changes are likely, who faces exposure, and what to watch next.