After days of frustration for Montreal drivers and vehicle owners, the Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) announced yesterday that its services are gradually returning to normal following a major computer system breakdown.
The outage, which began last Thursday, affected all SAAQ service centers across the province, creating significant backlogs and leaving many Montrealers unable to renew licenses, register vehicles, or complete other essential automotive transactions.
“We understand the inconvenience this has caused for thousands of Quebec residents,” said Jean Boulet, Quebec’s Transport Minister, during yesterday’s press conference. “Our technical teams have worked around the clock to restore functionality to our systems.”
As a Montreal resident who visited the SAAQ office on Décarie Boulevard yesterday, I witnessed firsthand the mixed emotions of relief and lingering frustration among those waiting in line. Many had returned multiple times over the past week, only to be turned away due to the system failures.
The SAAQ has confirmed that all online services through SAAQclic are now operational, while in-person service centers have resumed most functions. However, officials are warning citizens to expect longer than usual wait times as they work through the backlog of requests.
The computer breakdown couldn’t have come at a worse time, coinciding with month-end deadlines for license and registration renewals. In response, the SAAQ has announced a grace period for those whose documents expired during the outage.
“No one will be penalized for delays caused by our technical issues,” assured Éric Ducharme, SAAQ President and CEO. “We’ve instructed law enforcement agencies throughout Quebec to show leniency toward motorists with recently expired documents until March 15th.”
The technical problems reportedly stemmed from an attempted system upgrade that went awry, affecting the central database that manages all SAAQ transactions. This latest incident has renewed calls from consumer advocacy groups for modernization of Quebec’s government service infrastructure.
Pierre Martineau, spokesperson for CAA-Quebec, expressed concern about the frequency of such disruptions. “This is the third major outage in two years. Our members deserve reliable access to essential services that directly impact their ability to drive legally in this province.”
For Montrealers still needing to visit SAAQ service points, officials recommend checking the agency’s website for real-time updates on wait times and service availability. They also suggest using the online reservation system to secure an appointment rather than showing up in person.
The SAAQ has temporarily extended operating hours at its busiest Montreal locations, including those on Henri-Bourassa Boulevard and Crémazie Boulevard, to accommodate the additional volume.
As Montreal transitions into spring, with its usual increase in vehicle sales and transfers, the SAAQ assures the public it has implemented additional safeguards to prevent similar outages in the future.
For the latest updates on service restoration or to access online services, Montrealers can visit the SAAQ’s official website.
