Quebec extends deadlines in response to SAAQ crisis

Quebec is extending the deadline for a number of the province's automobile insurance board services as the SAAQ addressesongoing disruptions.

Starting Thursday, driving licencesthat would expire between March 9 and June 1, 2023 will be extended. Payment deadlines will be extended for up to 90 days from the licence holder's birthday.

The additional measures come after unions and members of Quebec's opposition parties criticized the Coalition Avenir Qubecgovernment for its handling of the SAAQ service interruptions afterthe automobile insuranceboard launched anew online portal.

"Quebecers should not be penalized by the current situation," Transport Minister Genevive Guilbault said in a statement Wednesday. "The safety of the population remains our priority, so any violation of the road safety will continue to be raised and sanctioned."

Temporary registration certificates issued between March 9 and April 8 will also be extended from 10 to 60 days, giving new owners who buy their vehicle from a car dealer more time to register it.

As of March 9, foreign drivers'licences will remain valid until Aug. 29.

WATCH | People voice concerns over SAAQ delays:

Frustrations boil over at SAAQ branches

2 years ago

Duration 0:43

Long processing delays at Quebec' s automobile insurance board have led to anger among some people seeking services.

Tickets waived

Any person who receivesa ticket related to a SAAQ service that wasn't performed in a timely manner since services were temporarily suspended on Jan. 26such as renewing their licencewon't have to pay the fine, Guilbault said in an interview with Radio-CanadaMonday.

"We've been speaking to our peace officers and obviously, you can't instruct the police to stop issuing fines. It's at their discretion. But still, people won't be penalized," she said.

RAMQ cards

Quebecers whose health insurance cardexpires between March 9 and June 1 will not have to go to aSAAQ service centre to renew their photo, Guilbault said Wednesday in an interview with Radio-Canada's Tout un matin.

The SAAQ normally requiresQuebecers to have their picture taken at its service centres for both their driver's licence andRgie de l'assurance maladie du Qubec (RAMQ) card.

Exceptionally, the RAMQ will reuse Quebecers' current photos to issue new cards in hopes of minimizinglineups at SAAQ branches.