Quebec Liberal Leader Considers Legal Action on Vote-Buying Allegations
Amid a flurry of crises, Quebec Liberal Party Leader Pablo Rodriguez has initiated legal action against the Journal de Montréal regarding vote-buying allegations. This announcement follows a caucus meeting in Montreal on Friday, where Rodriguez addressed the troubling revelations that emerged this week.
Legal Action for Vote-Buying Allegations
The controversy stems from an article published by the Journal de Montréal, which included excerpts of alleged text messages. These messages suggest that members of the Quebec Liberal Party were financially incentivized to vote for Rodriguez during his last leadership race.
The newspaper reportedly consulted text exchanges from this spring between individuals actively working to support Rodriguez. These messages reference the sale of membership cards and monetary efforts to sway votes in his favor.
Rodriguez emphasized that the intent of the legal notice is to identify those involved in the alleged vote-buying scheme, rather than uncovering the newspaper’s sources. He specifically requested the names and phone numbers related to the text messages, along with an explanation of how the Journal verified the claims before publication.
Response from the Party
As part of the fallout, Sona Lakhoyan Olivier, the Liberal MNA for Chomedey, has also sent a formal notice to Cogeco. Olivier was named on a radio program associated with the allegations, but she has firmly asserted her innocence.
Quebecor, the owner of the Journal de Montréal, has yet to comment on the situation, leaving uncertainty surrounding the claims.
Political Context and Reactions
The accusations against the Quebec Liberal Party not only complicate its positioning ahead of the 2025 provincial election but also raise critical questions about electoral integrity. While Rodriguez insisted that all electoral procedures adhered to legal standards, Premier François Legault expressed disbelief upon learning that financing votes might not be illegal under current laws.
Legault remarked, “It’s outrageous that, in 2025, they’re saying it’s legal to buy votes with $100 bills.”
Ongoing Turmoil and Internal Conflicts
The allegations come shortly after the suspension of MNA Marwah Rizqy from the Liberal caucus. This action followed Rizqy’s unilateral decision to terminate her chief of staff, Geneviève Hinse, leading to significant internal discord.
Hinse, who previously worked with Rodriguez, is now suing Rizqy for $500,000 in moral and punitive damages, claiming wrongful termination. In a series of legal exchanges, Rizqy’s legal team stated that Hinse’s dismissal was due to “significant ethical breaches” and insubordination.
Amid these controversies, Rodriguez has called for a united legislative effort to revise electoral laws and eliminate any potential legal loopholes surrounding vote-buying. As the situation develops, its implications for the Quebec Liberal Party’s future remain to be seen.
