The important digital identity project which was to be ready for March 2025 was suspended by the Legault government, despite the $ 22 million already spent and the repeated promises of Eric Caire.
The main project that the ex-digital minister had been carrying out since the election of the CAQ in 2018 today falls into uncertainty, also a victim of the lack of funds for projects registered at the Quebec infrastructure plan (PQI).
On all the stands, the deputy of the Peltrie hammered that Quebecers could, from 2021, obtain all the government services at the tips of their fingertips, on a security mobile application, as for their banking transactions.
He praised the courage of the government and the revolutionary effect that his project would have on services to citizens, for example, to the Quebec Automobile Insurance Company.
On the ice
The Ministry of Cybersecurity and Digital (MCN) first postponed the full deployment of this digital portfolio for 2025.
Last year, our parliamentary office revealed that the Carrefour mobile application, which was to give access to all these services, had been on ice.
On the defensive, the Caquist deputy had nevertheless promised that the “digital identity portfolio” project would be delivered by March 31, 2025.
“What we are going to deliver is on your phone is your driving license, health insurance card, marriage certificate, birth certificate. Your digital identity documents, ”he said less than a year ago, accusing The newspaper to spread false information.
He loud and clear that the Legault government would deliver the goods, without delay or exceeding costs.
However, eleven months later, the digital identity project no longer appears at the PQI and is officially suspended.
“Indeed, the project is replavation to allow an update of the project to carry out the project,” confirmed the public affairs coordinator of the Ministry of Cybersecurity and Digital (MCN), Caroline Lemieux.
The “Quebec Portfolio” project was estimated at $ 105 million, including operating and promotion costs.
According to the dashboard of information resource projects, more than $ 22 million was spent in the “Digital Citizen Identity” project.
-“The digital identity portfolio is still in realization. He will be delivered as planned next year, “said former Minister Cairo on May 7, 2024.
Archives photo, QMI agency
Biometrics and social acceptability
Biometrics (facial recognition or fingerprints) also had to be included with this application, in order to be able to obtain security services.
Before continuing its development, Quebec plans to carry out consultations in order to assess social acceptability and the particular needs of the population, argues the MCN.
The government also wants to sanction Bill 82 on national digital identity. Since the resignation of Eric Caire as minister, the bill has not been studied by elected officials.
“It is therefore recommended to suspend the execution phase of this project, dated March 31, 2025,” said the ministry. The MCN now says it wants to “create an asset with real added value from a broader perspective of the implementation of national digital identity and its management”.
According to our sources, the bill should not compromise the gradual deployment of digital identity.
Authentication service
The ministry ensures that the decision to suspend the digital identity “does not affect the deployment of the Government Authentication Service (SAG)”.
This service was deployed the first time when launching Saaqclic.
Sources had pointed out to our investigation office that the integration of SAG had played an important role in the digital fiasco of the SAAQ.
However, it will be necessary to wait until 2028 minimally before citizens can connect to the sites of all organizations and ministries with SAG.
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