[Canada] Quebec health network’s payroll system transformation in disarray

In Canada, a government report has revealed that a project to modernise Quebec’s health network’s payroll system is in disarray with roadblocks from cost overruns, two-year delivery delays, and contract failures contributing to its challenges, CityNews reports.

According to reporting from Le Journal de Montréal, costs have already risen from $202 million to $430 million and could reach a billion dollars, despite a ministerial advisory.

Known as the SIFARH project, the payroll system transformation is reportedly intended to centralise payroll, the logistics supply chain, and human resources management, such as scheduling.

Le Journal de Montréal shared details of an audit report that shows the Ministry of Health’s IT initiative is a financial drain. The Ministry of Health is said to have turned a blind eye to information from summer 2024 surrounding the problems with the project.

The outdated system reportedly means the CAQ government still has not granted healthcare network employees the new premiums established by the collective agreements signed last year, more than five months after they came into effect.

In October 2024, several regional health authorities also had to delay payment of certain premiums for all unions due to work payroll providers had to carry out.

Source: CityNews

In Canada, a government report has revealed that a project to modernise Quebec’s health network’s payroll system is in disarray with roadblocks from cost overruns, two-year delivery delays, and contract failures contributing to its challenges, CityNews reports.

According to reporting from Le Journal de Montréal, costs have already risen from $202 million to $430 million and could reach a billion dollars, despite a ministerial advisory.

Known as the SIFARH project, the payroll system transformation is reportedly intended to centralise payroll, the logistics supply chain, and human resources management, such as scheduling.

Le Journal de Montréal shared details of an audit report that shows the Ministry of Health’s IT initiative is a financial drain. The Ministry of Health is said to have turned a blind eye to information from summer 2024 surrounding the problems with the project.

The outdated system reportedly means the CAQ government still has not granted healthcare network employees the new premiums established by the collective agreements signed last year, more than five months after they came into effect.

In October 2024, several regional health authorities also had to delay payment of certain premiums for all unions due to work payroll providers had to carry out.

Source: CityNews