On February 28, 2025, Gilles Bélanger was appointed as Quebec's new Minister of Cybersecurity and Digital Technology, following the resignation of Éric Caire amid controversies surrounding the SAAQclic digital transition project. Premier François Legault announced this ministerial adjustment shortly after Caire stepped down, realizing he had become more of a distraction than a helpful asset to the government.
Bélanger, who has represented Orford since 2018, previously served as the parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Finance. He was instrumental as part of the government’s initiative to expand high-speed internet access across the regions during the Coalition Avenir Québec (CAQ) administration's first term. According to Premier Legault, "Gilles is a seasoned MP, and I am sure he will rise to this challenge successfully. His commitment and expertise, especially in connectivity and digital innovation, will be valuable assets for Quebec," highlighting expectations for Bélanger's knowledge and ability to navigate complex digital affairs.
The reshuffling of the cabinet follows the fallout from the disastrous rollout of the SAAQclic platform, revealed by the Auditor General to have exceeded budget estimates significantly and suffered substantial delays. Caire, who maintained he was unaware of these developments until very recently, is reported to have resigned after receiving mounting criticism and pressure from opposition parties demanding accountability. During his departure, he stated, “I have assumed my responsibilities and do not have anything to reproach myself for, other than not being cautious enough,” as he expressed concern over how the situation was affecting the government’s reputation.
The controversy surrounding SAAQclic has been likened to earlier scandals involving the Quebec government, with some opposition leaders drawing parallels to the sponsorship scandal, indicating this could be one of the most significant challenges the Legault administration faces since coming to power. Caire's resignation sparked immediate calls from various political factions, including the Parti Québécois and the Liberal party, for the establishment of an independent public inquiry to investigate the digital transition's setbacks. They argue this is necessary to understand the management failures leading to unprecedented overspending on the SAAQ project, which has reportedly surpassed $500 million.
While the CAQ government has responded defensively, arguing two existing investigations were underway — one by the Ministry of Transportation and another by the Autorité des marchés publics (AMP), Legault continued to face queries on whether Caire and other ministers, including the Minister of Transport Geneviève Guilbault, were adequately informed about the backdrop of complications surrounding the SAAQ. The Audit by the Auditor General unveiled shocking information indicating senior SAAQ executives had concealed significant facts from their political counterparts, thereby raising suspicions about the overall governance structure within this public body.
The newly appointed Minister Bélanger expressed enthusiasm for his new role, emphasizing his commitment to tackling the issues at hand, especially reviewing the SAAQclic file. He mentioned, "It’s really exciting; I have many IT-related files to familiarize myself with, and I will return with progress updates." This optimistic outlook aligns with Legault’s vision of reinforcing public trust following the management debacles attributed to his predecessors.
Even amid these transitions, the turbulence caused by SAAQclic continues to linger, with questions remaining unanswered about the extent of what officials knew and when about the platform's developmental troubles. The opposition parties have insisted on transparency moving forward, mirroring public sentiment for accountability, which they believe is fundamental to regaining citizens' trust.
This cabinet adjustment and Bélanger's appointment may mark the beginning of new strategies aimed at stabilizing the government's digital projects. Observers note the immediate task would be to address current chaos and overhauls requisite to the project and its fallout, raising hopes for improvement and clear communication within the public sector. According to political analysts, the effectiveness of Bélanger’s leadership will be closely monitored as he begins this pivotal role within the government during this tumultuous chapter.