A detailed investigation reveals that text messages central to the scandal toppling former Quebec Liberal Party leader Pablo Rodriguez were manipulated through cut-and-paste editing.
Background of the Allegations
The controversy erupted last November when publications surfaced suggesting party members received payments, dubbed “brownies,” to support Rodriguez in the leadership race. These claims prompted the Quebec Liberal Party to commission an independent review.
Key Findings from the Report
Jacques R. Fournier, former chief justice of the Quebec Superior Court, led the 39-page analysis. He examined potential vote-buying, identifying involved parties, amounts, and affected votes.
Fournier uncovered no evidence of misconduct. However, without subpoena powers, he relied on voluntary witness statements and could not entirely dismiss the possibility of irregularities.
Liberal MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier, Coalition Avenir Québec MNA Alice Abou-Khalil, and Liberal MNA Fayçal El-Khoury face no implication in the exchanges, despite prior identifications.
The report determines the published messages do not belong to discussions from April 11-13, 2025. Manipulation occurred by excising original portions and inserting unrelated extracts. “There is no date that allows us to place the additional extracts in time, or to know their origin,” the document states.
Fournier could not pinpoint payers, recipients, sums, or vote counts. Still, he concludes no impact on the race outcome and no awareness by Rodriguez’s campaign team.
Rodriguez Responds
On social media, Rodriguez expressed gratitude to Fournier for the thorough probe. “His report clearly shows that my team and I never took part in or witnessed any wrongdoing during the leadership race,” he stated.
Ongoing Probes and Reforms
Quebec’s anti-corruption unit, UPAC, continues investigating the vote-buying claims. National Assembly ethics commissioner Ariane Mignolet probes Lakhoyan Olivier, who was removed from the Liberal caucus in December.
In response, Bill 14 amended Quebec’s Elections Act to prohibit vote exchanges in leadership, mayoral, and nomination races—previously unregulated outside general elections. First offenses now carry fines of $5,000 to $20,000; repeats within 10 years range from $10,000 to $30,000.
