Élections Québec confirms probe into Rodriguez leadership race

Pablo Rodriguez makes a public statement after resigning as leader of the Quebec Liberal Party during a press conference in Montreal on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (The Canadian Press/Christinne Muschi)

Élections Québec confirmed Wednesday that it is indeed investigating the leadership race of Pablo Rodriguez — information that had circulated in the media for months.

It is an exceptional situation, as the institution normally does not confirm when an investigation has been launched.

“As several media outlets had reported, we agreed to acknowledge that we are looking into this situation,” spokesperson Julie St-Arnaud Drolet said in a phone interview with The Canadian Press.

Élections Québec remains cautious about releasing any details.

Rodriguez’s leadership of the Quebec Liberal Party was severely shaken by allegations of irregularities in the financing of his leadership campaign.

In November, the Journal de Montréal reported on text messages suggesting that money — referred to as “brownies” — may have been offered to encourage members to vote for Rodriguez.

The same outlet later reported that about 20 donors were allegedly reimbursed for their $500 contributions at an event — an illegal practice under Quebec’s Election Act.

Rodriguez has consistently maintained he was unaware of anything improper and had nothing to hide, but pressure mounted and calls for his resignation grew.

He ultimately stepped down on Dec. 17, six months after winning the race.

MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier, who supported Rodriguez during the leadership campaign, is also under investigation by the ethics commissioner over the use of her constituency office resources during the race.

All of this comes in addition to an investigation by Quebec’s anti-corruption squad (Unité permanente anticorruption - UPAC)

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Mar. 11, 2026.