QUEBEC – The Quebec Liberal Party is under scrutiny following allegations of cash payments during its leadership race. To address these concerns, the party has appointed retired Judge Jacques R. Fournier, a former chief justice of the Quebec Superior Court, to conduct an independent investigation. This investigation will examine whether any financial incentives were offered to influence voting outcomes, identify the individuals involved, the amounts exchanged, and the number of affected votes. Fournier is expected to submit his findings by the end of January 2026.
Recent media reports, particularly an article published in the Journal de Montréal, brought these allegations to light, revealing purported text messages from unidentified sources that suggest cash rewards were given to party members who supported Leader Pablo Rodriguez during the leadership race. The legitimacy of these claims has led to significant concerns within the party and among voters.
In conjunction with the party's investigative efforts, Quebec's anticorruption police, known as UPAC, have announced that they are currently verifying the information pertaining to these allegations. UPAC's involvement may lead to a more extensive investigation, depending on the outcomes of their preliminary assessment.
The Quebec Liberals have faced significant challenges recently, exemplified by the internal turmoil caused by the dismissal of Marwah Rizqy, the former parliamentary leader, who fired her chief of staff, Geneviève Hinse. This decision, made without prior consultation with Rodriguez, resulted in a suspension for Rizqy from the party caucus, further complicating the party's situation. Tensions within the leadership appear to be escalating as the party grapples with these various issues.
In a news release distributed on Friday, party president Rafael P. Ferraro reiterated Rodriguez's commitment to transparency by assuring that the findings of the Fournier report will be made public once it is completed. This move aims to restore public trust in the party amid the ongoing disturbance surrounding the leadership race and the allegations of impropriety.
The situation surrounding the Quebec Liberal Party is evolving, and the forthcoming report by Judge Fournier is highly anticipated. As it stands, the party's leadership is under pressure not only to clarify and resolve the allegations but also to unite its members and re-establish credibility ahead of future political challenges.
