SAAQ karaoke activity: an awareness campaign is really not working

Exasperated by the embarrassing SAAQclic fiasco, Geneviève Guilbault denounced the SAAQ's karaoke awareness campaign, which she described as a "clear lack of judgment." Under pressure, the government-owned corporation canceled its media launch.

The Minister of Transport seemed panicked at the idea that the public would harshly judge an SAAQ initiative.

A press release issued Thursday morning invited the media "to discover its brand new road safety awareness concept under the theme of impaired driving: Are you karaOK to drive? "

The activity was to be held at the heart of the Quebec Summer Festival, on Friday, July 11, on Grande Allée.

"This fun activity takes the form of a karaoke featuring well-known Quebec songs whose lyrics have been revisited to convey messages of prevention and awareness of responsible driving, particularly in a festive context," the press release reads.

Festival-goers and journalists were invited to take the microphone to perform these songs and discuss good behaviors to adopt before getting behind the wheel.

The FEQ is an event filled with celebrations, singing, and drinking. Many people arrive by car, including young drivers.

Strangely, this initiative did not please the Minister of Transport, in a context where the SAAQ is still shaken by the crisis linked to the SAAQclic fiasco.

"This is yet another example of the need to change the leadership at the SAAQ, which I did yesterday. Both the concept of this campaign and the timing of its announcement reflect a clear lack of judgment," ^Guilbault denounced on X.

On Wednesday, Geneviève Guilbault also dismissed CEO Éric Ducharme, replacing him with Annie Lafond.

Launch canceled

Publicly criticized by the minister, the SAAQ canceled the media launch planned for Friday in Quebec City. However, the tour of various Quebec festivals is still underway, the organization stated.

"This awareness campaign aims to raise awareness among drivers of the importance of not driving if they have consumed alcohol or drugs and to opt for alternative solutions in order to return home safely," explained spokesperson Gino Desrosiers.

Although this campaign has no direct connection to crisis management and the SAAQclic fiasco, the minister decided to criticize the awareness-raising efforts of SAAQ employees, who have already been severely affected by the revelations of the Gallant Commission.

She was reacting to a post by the news director of 93.3 in Quebec, François Cormier, who had shared the press release on X with the comment: "Uh... no."

"I discussed it with the new interim CEO, who is 100% on board. We asked them to review the awareness campaign."

The official opposition's spokesperson for transport, Monsef Derraji, also took advantage of the minister's publication to criticize the activity.

"Yesterday you said you were meeting with the SAAQ via Teams three times a day. And despite this proximity, you're trying to make us believe that a campaign like "Are you karaOK to drive?" hasn't been validated?" he commented on X.