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CTV News
25 minutes ago
- CTV News
SAAQclic hearings constructing ‘narrative' that doesn't reflect ‘reality': former IT boss
The former IT boss of the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) believes that the hearings of the commission of inquiry into the SAAQclic fiasco are constructing 'a narrative' that does not reflect 'the reality of the SAAQ story.' Karl Malenfant posted a message on LinkedIn on Tuesday, the same day he was scheduled to meet behind closed doors with the Gallant commission. Malenfant explained what prompted him to request participant status last June. He wanted to 'help correct the narrative' he had heard throughout the public hearings. 'I noticed that a narrative was being constructed that did not correspond to the reality of the SAAQ's history. Dozens of people who were at the heart of this case share my opinion,' he wrote in a long message contained in a five-page document shared on social media. He was denied participant status in early July by Judge Denis Gallant, who is chairing the commission. This status would have allowed the former SAAQ vice-president of information technology to defend himself, including by cross-examining witnesses. Malenfant, whose name has come up repeatedly since the hearings began, also spoke about his summons to appear in camera. A week earlier, he had attempted to have the meeting cancelled, arguing that the public would not be able to hear his entire testimony. His request was also denied by Gallant last Friday. 'Following these two refusals, I have no idea why I am being asked to appear in camera. I also have no assurance that the commission wants to hear the whole story supported by documentary evidence,' said Malenfant. He went on to list a series of issues that he wants to try to convince the commissioner are 'crucial to ensuring that everyone has a complete understanding of the case." These issues 'must be discussed publicly, so that every stone in the file can be turned over,' he added. In his Aug. 1 decision on the closed-door meeting, Commissioner Gallant said Malenfant will testify at public hearings, 'likely in mid-September.' The commissioner indicated that Tuesday's meeting is part of the preliminary phase of the commission's work. It aims 'to determine the topics that will be covered ... and to select the relevant documentary evidence that will be presented' to Malenfant during his public testimony. It should be noted that the SAAQ's failed digital transition is expected to cost taxpayers at least $1.1 billion by 2027, which is $500 million more than originally estimated, according to calculations by the Auditor General of Quebec. The Gallant Commission will resume its work on Aug. 18. This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Aug. 5, 2025. By Frédéric Lacroix-Couture, The Canadian Press
CTV News
25 minutes ago
- CTV News
Richmond Road businesses say LRT construction is driving customers away
Businesses along Richmond Road say construction on the western extension of Ottawa's LRT is driving customers away and some fear they won't survive until the work is done. The stretch of Richmond Road has been under construction for more than a year for Stage 2 of the LRT. With part of Woodroffe Avenue also closed since late July, owners say things have gone from bad to worse. Alaa Kiki, owner of Kiki Barber Shop, says he's been trying to direct customers to his shop, but the signs are getting taken down by Ottawa Bylaw. Richmond Road construction Construction signs and fences on Richmond Road. Aug. 5, 2025. (Katelyn Wilson/CTV News Ottawa) 'I put one sign at the bottom of Woodroffe just to let people know we are still alive, and they removed it. They said, 'No, you're not allowed, next time we're going to give you a fine,'' Kiki said. Kiki told CTV News Ottawa last summer that sales were down as much as 80 per cent after construction began. Now, he says it's worse, despite spending more than $2,500 a month on online advertising. 'I'm trying to survive but there are no clients,' he said. 'I will never survive the business…I'm facing a very bad situation.' Customers say detours and confusing signage is making it difficult to navigate their way to the business. 'I had to go all around but I didn't even know where to go, so I wasn't sure if I would find my way here,' said one client. Since part of Woodroffe Avenue closed at the end of July, a local pharmacy says it's been dealing with a massive mound of dirt outside its front window for weeks. Richmond Road construction A pile of rubble from construction sits outside of St. Mary Richmond IDA Pharmacy. Aug. 5, 2025. (Katelyn Wilson/CTV News Ottawa) 'It's definitely affected our business,' said Hany Armanuos, owner of St. Mary Richmond IDA Pharmacy. 'We were hoping for better communication, but we haven't actually received any for upcoming construction.' Bay Ward Coun. Theresa Kavanagh says the city can't directly compensate businesses, but the contractor was supposed to help with advertising. 'I don't know what happened but I'm finding it very frustrating myself because I'm told that they were going to do something,' said Kavanagh. 'I'm going to request that we do look into what can be done in terms of other things that would help businesses.' Woodroffe Avenue is expected to reopen in October, and Richmond Road early next year. But Kiki says that may be too late. 'This month I have the rent, but next month I swear I don't have it so how can I survive,' he said. In a statement Ottawa Bylaw and Regulatory Services tells CTV News it removed three signs on Thursday because they violated the city's sign policy, saying in part: 'By-law and Regulatory Services (BLRS) understands that ongoing construction on Richmond Road is challenging for nearby businesses, and that visibility and access are important during this time. On July 31, BLRS removed three signs from Sherbourne Road between Saville Row and Keenan Avenue, as they were in contravention of the Signs on City Roads By-law (By-law No. 2003-520), which prohibits sign placement on the City's right of way. Two of the signs belonged to a business on Richmond Road, and a third sign belonged to a business not located in the area. The signs removed were ground-mounted signs, and did not provide directional information to assist customers in accessing businesses affected by the construction.' Meanwhile, the city tells CTV News it is 'actively working with the contractor to expedite the removal of the temporary stockpile which is anticipated to begin once the materials have been tested and categorized for disposal.' Going on to say, 'The City of Ottawa is committed to supporting impacted residents and businesses as we extend the O-Train system farther west to Algonquin College and Moodie Drive. We understand that the revitalization work on Richmond Road can be disruptive, and we are committed to keeping the community informed.'
CTV News
25 minutes ago
- CTV News
Second EV parts plant announced in $300 million investment
Another $48 million investment at Minth in Windsor, and an acceleration of the timeline. CTV Windsor's Robert Lothian explains. Faced with market uncertainty, two automotive parts companies are moving ahead with a joint venture in Windsor with the belief there will be some relief. Parts manufacturer Minth Group announced an agreement to venture with AISIN Corporation, a Tier One automotive supplier, on Tuesday morning. Building on a $300 million manufacturing campus announced in April, Minth said they will be moving forward on phase two immediately. Through the partnership, the site will lead to aluminum, steel and polymer-based parts for electric vehicle platforms. A new venture in the electric vehicle sector comes in the midst of uncertainty for the auto sector in Canada. In the face of lower demand and U.S. tariffs, Scott Turpin, the president and CEO of Aisin World Corp. of America, said they're not concerned. 'We made the decision to move forward regardless of the noise that we're hearing right now in this news cycle,' Turpin told reporters. 080525 - Minth Windsor A new venture in the electric vehicle sector comes in the midst of uncertainty for the auto sector in Canada. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) Since the election of U.S. President Donald Trump, there's been a shift in green policy stateside. In Canada, there has been a decrease in EV sales, and auto leaders have asked for an electric vehicle mandate to be put on hold. 'We think that that is going to be short-lived, that, you know, the two countries will continue to work towards some neutral agreement,' Turpin noted. 'So, we want to make sure that we're not letting politics drive our business decisions.' Located at 5000 Cabana Road East, on approximately 54 acres of surplus land at the Windsor International Airport, this will be the second 150,000 sq. ft. facility. Through the partnership, the site will lead to aluminum, steel and polymer-based parts for electric vehicle platforms. 'Phase two will be tailored for our very important customer,' said William Chin, the Chief Strategy Officer of Minth. 'The equipment going in there will be tailored for the customer, so it will be done in phases when a customer gives us an order for a certain amount of parts.' Though officials wouldn't directly name the customer, a news release states that Japanese-based AISIN is a major supplier of Toyota. The only AISIN plant in Canada is ACI, located in Stratford, supplying Toyota plants in Ontario. 'So we are very honoured to have the opportunity to stand on the shoulders of a giant,' Chin said. Minth's Windsor footprint is expected to include about 1,100 jobs when both facilities are completed. The initial phase is expected to open in Windsor. By this fall, Chin expects they will have hired about 100 people. Based on plans to phase in the workforce, Chin estimated that the plant will be fully staffed by 2027.
