Quebec Liberal Leader Confirms MP’s Donation Solicitation for Campaign
Quebec Liberal Leader Pablo Rodriguez has officially acknowledged that federal Liberal MP Fayçal El-Khoury sought donations for his leadership campaign. However, El-Khoury has strongly denied any involvement in the race.
During a press conference at the National Assembly on Wednesday, Rodriguez stated, “He had a solicitation certificate, which is public information. That means he was collecting money like many people.”
According to a report by “La Presse,” El-Khoury emphasized that he had no ties to the PLQ leadership race. The media outlet highlighted a conversation between El-Khoury and Liberal MNA Marwah Rizqy on Nov. 14, which has caught the attention of Élections Québec due to its potential connection with Rodriguez’s leadership bid.
When contacted by The Canadian Press, Élections Québec neither confirmed nor denied whether an investigation was underway regarding the matter. Rodriguez also stated his uncertainty about any ongoing investigations by the organization.
The PLQ has faced turmoil following Rizqy’s decision to dismiss her chief of staff, Geneviève Hinse, without prior consultation. Hinse, a close associate of Rodriguez, was let go by Rizqy, who was subsequently removed from her role as parliamentary leader and suspended from the caucus for breaching trust.
Hinse’s lawyer later demanded that Rizqy publicly acknowledge within 24 hours the lack of justifications for the dismissal. In response, Rizqy informed Hinse through a letter that the dismissal was due to “serious ethical breaches” and “repeated acts of insubordination.”
Rizqy, in a Facebook post on Sunday, expressed her inability to comment publicly on the matter due to its nature as a human resources issue. She acknowledged the strain the situation has placed on her political affiliations.
Rodriguez, who had appointed Rizqy to act as the leader of the official opposition until the 2026 general elections, remains puzzled as to the reasons behind Rizqy’s dismissal of his chief of staff.
