Quebec’s Minister for Democratic Institutions, Jean-François Roberge, will introduce a bill this week to prohibit vote buying in leadership contests. The move comes in response to recent revelations of alleged payments termed as “brownies” to sway votes in favor of Liberal candidate Pablo Rodriguez.
After reports surfaced in the Journal de Montréal detailing these suspicious transactions, the Quebec Liberal Party launched an internal inquiry to investigate the matter. However, Élections Québec clarified that existing laws do not explicitly forbid exchanging donations for votes in leadership races.
Recognizing the need to address this gap, Minister Roberge emphasized the urgency of enacting legislation during a recent press briefing. He underlined the importance of swift action in light of the concerning allegations surrounding the “brownies” scandal within the Quebec Liberal Party.
Roberge highlighted collaborative efforts with representatives from various political parties in drafting the proposed bill, ensuring a comprehensive approach to electoral reform. He expressed confidence in garnering broad support across party lines for the initiative, with the goal of passing the bill before the parliamentary session adjourns on Dec. 12.
