PLQ: Pablo Rodriguez picks Marwah Rizqy to take on François Legault

Quebec Liberal MNA Marwah Rizqy speaks during question period on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, at the Quebec National Assembly. (The Canadian Press/Karoline Boucher)

Saint-Laurent Liberal MNA Marwah Rizqy has been named parliamentary leader and will now go head-to-head with Premier François Legault during question period in the Red Room over the coming months.

New Liberal leader Pablo Rodriguez made the announcement Thursday following his first caucus meeting with Liberal MNAs.

“I know she’s going to shake things up. I think some people are going to sleep less soundly tonight, I’m sure of it. (…) If I were François Legault, I’d be scared right now,” Rodriguez told reporters when asked to explain his choice.

By becoming leader of the Official Opposition, Rizqy takes over from Marc Tanguay, who held the position for two and a half years.

“Every day, I’m going to dog this government, and I won’t be lacking material,” she said.

Rizqy supported Rodriguez during the party’s leadership race. There had been speculation recently that she might step aside to make room for Rodriguez, who does not currently hold a seat in the legislature.

Rizqy was quick to put that idea to rest on Thursday: “I’m finishing my mandate with all the energy you’ve come to expect from me.”

Rodriguez, for his part, said he plans to wait until 2026 to enter the National Assembly.

In the meantime, he’ll travel across Quebec to rebuild the party and recruit candidates for the next election.

He also confirmed the party will pay him a salary, though the amount has yet to be determined.

Marie-Claude Nichols returns

The caucus meeting also marked the official return of Vaudreuil MNA Marie-Claude Nichols to the Liberal fold. She was expelled in dramatic fashion following the 2022 election.

“I’m happy to be back home,” she said Thursday at the National Assembly.

During the leadership race, Nichols renewed her Liberal Party membership and threw her support behind Rodriguez, who won the contest last Saturday.

• READ MORE: Marie-Claude Nichols expelled from Que. Liberal caucus, will sit as independent

“I’m a team player. Pablo convinced me he’s the right person to lead the team. I have a lot of confidence in him,” said Nichols.

With her return, the Liberal caucus now has 20 elected members. Following the Liberals’ 2022 defeat, Nichols was expelled from caucus after refusing a role offered by then-leader Dominique Anglade.

Instead, the Vaudreuil MNA had been seeking the position of third vice-president of the National Assembly, which comes with a $35,000 top-up to her base salary. The post ultimately went to Viau Liberal MNA Frantz Benjamin.

Thursday’s caucus was Rodriguez’s first at the National Assembly since winning the leadership.

“It’s an extremely emotional moment. I’m proud to be with such a strong caucus, and most of all, I’m proud of what we’re going to accomplish together for Quebec,” he told the MNAs, who gave him a warm round of applause.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on June 19, 2025.