Quebec’s anti-corruption police have initiated a criminal probe into allegations of misconduct by the Quebec Liberal party. The investigation stems from purported misuse of National Assembly funds for political purposes and activities related to the leadership contest that culminated in the selection of leader Pablo Rodriguez. Mathieu Galarneau, a spokesperson for the anti-corruption unit known as UPAC, confirmed the commencement of the investigation in a statement to Radio-Canada. Galarneau emphasized the need for confidentiality to safeguard the integrity of the investigation and uphold the rights of all involved parties.
In response to the news of the anti-corruption unit’s probe, Rodriguez expressed willingness to fully cooperate with UPAC in a message posted on a platform. He underscored the importance of uncovering the truth and emphasized his commitment to taking swift action if any illegal activities are discovered.
Recent controversies have been escalating over the past weeks. In November, the Journal de Montréal disclosed alleged text messages implicating unidentified individuals in offering financial incentives to supporters of Rodriguez during the leadership race. Rodriguez stated that he became aware of these messages through media reports and subsequently commissioned a retired judge, Jacques R. Fournier, to investigate the allegations, with a report expected by the end of January 2026.
Last week, MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier was suspended from the Liberal caucus pending an inquiry led by the National Assembly’s ethics commissioner, following a request from Rodriguez. Media reports linked Olivier and CAQ MNA Alice Abou-Khalil to the unfolding allegations.
Furthermore, the Quebec Liberals issued a statement outlining that the investigation focuses on potential misappropriation of resources allocated to the Chomedey constituency office for partisan purposes connected to the party’s recent leadership contest. Additionally, Saint-Laurent MNA Marwah Rizqy was ousted from the Quebec Liberal caucus, with Rodriguez accusing her of acting independently and disregarding team dynamics after dismissing her chief of staff, Geneviève Hinse, who had previously collaborated with Rodriguez during his tenure as an MP in Ottawa.