QUEBEC — Quebec's ethics commissioner, Ariane Mignolet, has recommended an $8,000 fine against former Liberal member of the legislature, Sona Lakhoyan Olivier. The fine is a result of her misuse of constituency resources during the 2025 Liberal leadership race, which has raised significant ethical concerns.

Mignolet's investigation revealed that Lakhoyan Olivier conducted partisan activities within her legislative office last year. These activities were aimed at supporting Pablo Rodriguez's candidacy for the leadership position, a role Rodriguez eventually resigned from in December 2025. The commissioner found that Lakhoyan Olivier actively enlisted her staff to engage in various tasks that would mobilize support for Rodriguez.

According to the findings, Lakhoyan Olivier's staff participated in events supporting Rodriguez, worked on registering new party members, and made calls to solicit votes on his behalf. This mobilization of resources and personnel raised questions about the appropriateness of her actions as a public official, leading to the ethics investigation.

Additionally, the report indicated that Lakhoyan Olivier attempted to obstruct the investigation process. Such interference is particularly concerning for an elected official and adds another layer of ethical violation to her case. Following the investigation's conclusions, Lakhoyan Olivier was removed from the Liberal party caucus in December 2025 and is currently serving as an Independent member of the legislature.

In response to the commissioner’s findings, Liberal Leader Charles Milliard stated that he accepts the report and affirmed that Lakhoyan Olivier would not be allowed to rejoin the party. This decision underscores the party's commitment to upholding ethical standards and accountability among its members.

This detailed report from the ethics commission reflects ongoing efforts to maintain integrity within Quebec's political framework. With the recommendation for a monetary penalty and the actions taken against Lakhoyan Olivier, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible use of public resources in political campaigns.

The situation continues to develop, but the Liberal Party's stance and the investigation's findings signal a rigorous approach to ethics and accountability in the context of leadership races. The scrutiny of Lakhoyan Olivier's conduct illustrates the challenges political figures face in maintaining a clear line between personal ambitions and their public responsibilities.

Patrice Bergeron and Thomas Laberge, The Canadian Press