Quebec alleges Microsoft for the collapse of the SAAQ operations

Quebec alleges Microsoft for the collapse of the SAAQ operations

SAAQ's Computer Outage: A Kick in the Pants for Digital Sovereignty in Quebec

Quebec's Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) faced an ongoing IT system failure on Wednesday, forcing service centers to shutter except for driving exams. The provincial government has labeled the situation as "unacceptable" and is pointing the finger at Microsoft.

According to the SAAQ, the outage stems from a server park backing several support and mission services. Troubles emerged around 3 pm on Tuesday, dragging into the following day. This technical mishap forced SAAQ's service centers and mandataries to stay closed, while the SAAQclic platform—though "functional"—remained inaccessible.

Practical driving exams could carry on, but appointments for other services necessitated rescheduling. The SAAQ confirmed that its teams were working hand-in-hand with Microsoft to rectify these issues "as soon as possible."Data integrity remained intact during the outage.

Quebec's Digital Awakening

Intercepted in the corridors of the National Assembly, Minister of Cybersecurity and Digital, Gilles Bélanger, branded the situation "unacceptable." "But it's not SAAQclic, it's Microsoft," he asserted.

"And it's not the first time [such a problem has occurred]," admitted Mr. Bélanger, who joined the Council of Ministers just two months ago. Yet, booting Microsoft out, "that's not something that happens overnight," he added, mentioning the binding contractual agreements with the American company.

During question period, the minister expressed a longing to liberate Quebec from American tech titans. "Our government is working on a digital sovereignty approach to find alternatives so that we never have another service outage like [the current SAAQ computer outage]."

If this outage revealed one thing, it's Quebec's reliance on an "external provider," explained cybersecurity specialist Steve Waterhouse to Le Devoir. The solution? Bet on digital sovereignty, he suggested. Mr. Bélanger's proposal would be "realistic," according to the expert, who nevertheless stressed the need for a comprehensive, long-term plan "over the next 10 years."

Towards a More Autonomous Quebec

In line with a strategic push for digital sovereignty, Quebec is mulling over various proposals to mitigate dependence on external IT providers and bolster data security. Some potential solutions include:

• **Sovereign AI and Data Infrastructure within Quebec}: Launching "Sovereign AI Factories" by TELUS in Rimouski, Quebec (and Kamloops, BC), which will provide high-performance AI computing resources domestically.
• Local Data Centers: Encouraging companies to host data centres within the province to reduce network latency, retain data sovereignty, protect privacy, and support local economic growth.
• Supply Chain Diversification: Diversifying suppliers and boosting domestic manufacturing, including semiconductors, to secure supply chain resilience.
• Investment in Cybersecurity and Workforce Development: Enhancing cybersecurity talent through university-industry collaborations and public-private partnerships to counter the current shortage in cybersecurity specialists.

The objective of these initiatives is to establish a robust digital ecosystem in Quebec with reduced dependence on foreign IT providers and enhanced data security, addressing concerns raised by the SAAQ outage.

Opposition Critiques the Government

Liberal interim leader, Marc Tanguay, advised during a press conference that the management of the SAAQ computer outage was a "fiasco." "At what point does the minister [of Transport, Geneviève Guilbault] become responsible?" he questioned.

Critics from the Solidarity Party, Liberal and separatist Party Québécois parties have lambasted the government for the outage's impact on citizens and questioned accountability. The Parti Québécois demanded an inquiry into all computer contracts that were denied.

1. Despite Quebec's push for digital sovereignty, the SAAQ outage highlights Quebecers' dependence on technology providers like Microsoft, as asserted by cybersecurity specialist Steve Waterhouse.
2. In response to the SAAQ outage, Minister of Cybersecurity and Digital, Gilles Bélanger, emphasized the need to explore alternatives to American tech titans, such as investing in sovereign AI and data infrastructure within Quebec.
3. The Parti Québécois, critical of the government, demanded an inquiry into all computer contracts, proposing a more autonomous Quebec with reduced dependence on foreign IT providers.

Read also: