Quebec Liberal Leadership Hopeful Charles Milliard Confirms Meeting with Exiled MNA Marwah Rizqy
The presumptive next leader of the Quebec Liberal Party has taken a significant step toward healing internal divisions by meeting with exiled Member of the National Assembly Marwah Rizqy. Charles Milliard, currently the sole declared candidate in the party's leadership race, disclosed the recent encounter during an appearance on The Gazette's Corner Booth podcast, framing it as part of a broader initiative to reunite the fractured political organization.
Strategic Outreach Amid Leadership Transition
Milliard, 47, revealed to podcast hosts Bill Brownstein and Aaron Rand that he has been conducting individual meetings with Liberal members as he prepares for the March 14 leadership election. The conversation with Rizqy represents a particularly symbolic gesture, given her controversial expulsion from the party caucus last year under former leader Pablo Rodriguez.
"I've met Marwah Rizqy — very recently," Milliard stated in the Saturday-released episode. "We have spoken very clearly about options that I'm going to have in the coming weeks." The leadership candidate emphasized his commitment to collaborative decision-making, noting he plans to discuss Rizqy's potential return with the caucus should he secure the leadership position next month.
Delicate Diplomacy Without Firm Commitments
When pressed about whether Rizqy would definitively return to the Liberal fold, Milliard carefully avoided making specific promises. "We have options," he explained. "And I'm going to decide that with the team." This measured approach reflects the complex political landscape Milliard inherits, where Rizqy's expulsion triggered a chain of events culminating in Rodriguez's resignation.
The Saint-Laurent MNA was removed from caucus in December after Rodriguez accused her of disloyalty for dismissing a senior party employee without consultation. Her suspension had begun weeks earlier, accompanied by removal from her parliamentary leadership role. The situation escalated further when:
- A $500,000 civil lawsuit between Rizqy and the former employee became public
- Media reports surfaced alleging improper conduct during the Liberal leadership race
- The party commissioned an external review by a retired judge
- Quebec's anti-corruption unit confirmed it was examining the matter
Broader Context of Party Rebuilding
Milliard's outreach occurs against a backdrop of significant organizational challenges for the Quebec Liberals. The party has been working to move beyond last fall's scandals while preparing for an eventual provincial election. Milliard emphasized his unifying vision, stating, "I have been saying for the past few weeks that we need to work as a team again at the Quebec Liberal Party."
Rizqy is scheduled to return to the National Assembly next week when parliamentary proceedings resume, adding another layer of complexity to the party's internal dynamics. Meanwhile, Milliard's path to leadership appears increasingly clear as he remains the only candidate still standing in the race.
The leadership hopeful brings previous experience from the 2025 Liberal leadership contest against Rodriguez, after which he accepted a position at Bishop's University's Williams School of Business. Regarding the scandals that rocked the party last autumn, Milliard acknowledged limited familiarity with specific findings, noting, "I don't know that much about them. I learned all of this last fall."
This strategic meeting represents Milliard's first major public move toward reconciliation within a party seeking to rebuild its public image and internal cohesion ahead of crucial political battles.
