Quebec tables bill to ban vote-buying ‘brownies’ in leadership races

Quebec Minister Responsible Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration Jean-Francois Roberge tables a legislation at the legislature in Quebec City, Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025. (Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

Quebec Democratic Institutions Minister Jean-François Roberge tabled a bill on Friday to ban vote-buying in leadership races.

“This bill introduces into the Election Act and the Act respecting elections and referendums in municipalities an offence aimed at punishing any undue influence on a person’s vote in the context of a political party leadership campaign or a political party candidate nomination process,” reads the explanatory notes accompanying the bill, which was tabled in the National Assembly on Friday morning.

The government’s decision comes after the Journal de Montreal revealed last month that text messages suggested that members who supported Pablo Rodriguez in the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) leadership race received cash rewards — “brownies” for $100 bills.

The PLQ has since launched an investigation to shed light on these allegations.

Surprisingly, Elections Quebec has indicated that “in the context of a leadership race, the Election Act does not provide for an offence prohibiting someone from making a donation in exchange for a vote.”

This practice is therefore permitted, provided that all candidates’ expenses are compiled in a report submitted to the Quebec Chief Electoral Officer.

For Roberge, it was “obvious” that legislation was needed.

His bill provides for “a fine of $5,000 to $20,000 for a first offence and $10,000 to $30,000 for any repeat offence within ten years.”

It should be noted that the law already prohibits the payment of money in exchange for votes in general and byelections.

The three opposition parties have all already expressed their support for the ban on brownies.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Dec. 5, 2025.