Montreal Mayor Soraya Martinez Ferrada is denying ties to businessman Emanuel Cabral, who has been linked to the Quebec Liberal Party scandals. Leader Pablo Rodriguez resigned from his position Wednesday after weeks of controversy and allegations of wrongdoing in the leadership race he won last June. He was a former MP with the federal Liberal Party, like Martinez Ferrada who, was tourism minister under Justin Trudeau. According to a report by the Journal de Montreal, about 20 donors to Rodriguez’s campaign were handed envelopes containing $500 in cash to reimburse their donations at a fundraiser in April, which is illegal under the Election Act. La Presse has reported that Cabral hosted the event. The Liberals are now facing a criminal investigation by Quebec’s anti-corruption police (UPAC), though the details have been kept under wrap. Martinez Ferrada says she attended some of Cabral’s events during her mayoral bid but insisted she has “no personal relationship with Emanuel Cabral.” “He is a resident of Montreal, of Ahuntsic-Cartierville, who has held public events for many years,” she said. She stressed she went to a garden party “that he’s been hosting for many years,” and not a fundraiser or financing event, and that while campaigning, her team considers all invitations. “I deplore this situation, which casts a shadow on all the work politicians have done over the last years to clarify the roles they all have in terms of respecting the law,” she told reporters Wednesday. “It’s unacceptable.” Rodriguez has repeatedly denied wrongdoing and has said he wants “the truth to come out.” On Tuesday, he said he was not aware of the $500 envelopes and his team called the act “unacceptable.”
