Quebec Liberal Party Crisis: Ex-House Leader Alleges Misuse of Public Funds
A political dispute within the Parti libéral du Québec (PLQ) has escalated into legal action and accusations of improper financial practices. Former parliamentary leader Marwah Rizqy alleges that her chief of staff, Geneviève Hinse, was dismissed after attempting to use public funds to pay employees working on political tasks for Pablo Rodriguez.
Allegations of Misconduct
According to documents filed in court on January 28th, Rizqy claims Hinse sought to fund work for Rodriguez, who was not a sitting member of the National Assembly at the time, with money from the Assembly. This occurred during the PLQ leadership race. Rizqy further alleges Hinse downplayed concerns about a “blitz” of membership card sales in the riding of Sona Lakhoyan Olivier, who has since been excluded from the Liberal caucus.
Rizqy states that Nathalie Côté, an employee of the National Assembly, informed her on November 16th about the alleged membership sales activity. A volunteer, Nicolas Gosselin, reportedly described a situation involving “cash, PLQ membership cards and a lot of people” in May. Côté then relayed this information to Hinse, recognising it as potentially inappropriate use of resources within a riding office.
Disagreement Over Funding and Tasks
The disagreement centered on how to fund staff working to support Rodriguez. In October 2025, Hinse reportedly presented a plan to Rizqy to hire employees using funds from the National Assembly, despite the work being intended for the non-elected Rodriguez. Rizqy responded by stating that employee salaries should come from the party, not the Assembly.
Further complicating matters, Hinse proposed “hybrid” positions on November 11th, where employees would be 40% funded by the PLQ and 60% by public funds, to prepare responses to the Parti québécois’s blue book. Rizqy considered this work to be partisan, as it was for Rodriguez, who was not a member of the National Assembly.
Hinse reportedly argued there were “grey areas” in the ethics rules and expressed disappointment that Rizqy wouldn’t seek a “solution” within those areas to meet Rodriguez’s needs. Rizqy, however, maintained that Hinse’s actions constituted a circumvention of clear rules.
Escalation and Resignations
On November 17th, Rizqy dismissed Hinse, alleging “serious misconduct,” without informing then-party leader Pablo Rodriguez. The following day, Rodriguez removed Rizqy from her position as parliamentary leader and suspended her from the Liberal caucus, citing a “breakdown of trust.”
This conflict led to further revelations in the media, including the publication of text messages suggesting some PLQ members may have been compensated for voting in favour of Rodriguez during the leadership race. Rodriguez subsequently announced his resignation on December 18th, stating he had become a “distraction” for the party, while maintaining his innocence.
The PLQ has declined to comment on the matter, citing ongoing legal proceedings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted Marwah Rizqy to dismiss Geneviève Hinse?
Marwah Rizqy alleges she dismissed Geneviève Hinse due to Hinse’s attempt to use public funds to pay employees working on political tasks for Pablo Rodriguez.
What role did Sona Lakhoyan Olivier play in this situation?
Allegations of a “blitz” of membership card sales in Sona Lakhoyan Olivier’s riding office were brought to Rizqy’s attention, and Hinse was accused of not taking these allegations seriously. Lakhoyan Olivier was later excluded from the Liberal caucus and is under investigation by the ethics commissioner.
What was the disagreement regarding employee funding?
Rizqy insisted that employees working for Pablo Rodriguez should be paid by the party, not by funds from the National Assembly, while Hinse proposed a plan to use public funds for these positions.
As the legal proceedings unfold, will this dispute further reshape the political landscape within the Parti libéral du Québec?