New cost overrun scandal puts CAQ on defensive ahead of leaders’ debates

POLITICS New cost overrun scandal puts CAQ on defensive ahead of leaders’ debates By Alessia Simona Maratta & Dan Spector Global News Posted September 14, 2026 9:05 pm Updated September 14, 2026 11:11 pm 3 min read A new cost overrun scandal for the CAQ made waves on the campaign trail on Monday. The Fréchette government os accused of allowing the price of an IT project balloon from 100 million to one billion dollars. As Dan Spectpr reports, the CAQ is now on the defensive as leaders prepare for two televised debates this week. LEAVE A COMMENT SHARE THIS ITEM ON FACEBOOK SHARE THIS ITEM ON X SEND THIS PAGE TO SOMEONE VIA EMAIL SEE MORE SHARING OPTIONS DESCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE INCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE A major new cost overrun controversy is plaguing the Coalition Avenir Québec campaign just days before two crucial televised leaders’ debates. The CAQ government led by Christine Fréchette is under fire following a Radio-Canada report that says the cost of an information technology project at Santé Québec has ballooned from an initial budget of about $96 million to roughly $1 billion. Opposition parties seized on the report Monday, comparing it to the SAAQclic scandal, the digital transformation project at the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) that ended up costing taxpayers more than $1 billion. “I think it’s a total disgrace what we’ve heard,” Liberal Leader Charles Milliard told reporters Monday. Québec solidaire spokesperson Ruba Ghazal said Quebecers are once again witnessing “other SAAQclic fiascos.” The Liberals accused Fréchette, who previously served as Treasury Board president, of ignoring warning signs about the project. STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT “She received the KPMG report and she put it in the garbage and she signed for another amount. So she’s responsible,” said Monsef Derraji, the Liberal candidate in Nelligan. Conservative Leader Eric Duhaime also drew parallels to the SAAQclic controversy. “Another SAAQclic fiasco, in fact it’s worse,” Duhaime said. Get daily Montreal news Get daily Montreal news delivered to your inbox so you'll never miss the day's top stories. SIGN UP FOR DAILY MONTREAL NEWSLETTER GET STARTED BY PROVIDING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO GLOBAL NEWS' TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY. Milliard accused the CAQ government of withholding information from the public. “They’ve been hiding information,” he said. Fréchette was absent from the campaign trail…