The Quebec Liberal Party has taken the significant step of excluding the Member of the National Assembly for Chomedey, Sona Lakhoyan Olivier, from its parliamentary caucus. This decision, announced on Thursday, December 4, 2025, is directly linked to an ongoing investigation launched by the province's ethics commissioner.
Official Statement from the Liberal Whip
In an official statement released on the same day, Liberal party whip Marc Tanguay declared the exclusion was a necessary action following the commissioner's decision to open a probe. The move sidelines Lakhoyan Olivier from the party's internal discussions and strategy sessions while the investigation runs its course.
Nature of the Ethics Investigation
Anne-Sophie St-Gelais, communications officer for the ethics commissioner, confirmed in a separate statement that an investigation is indeed underway. The commission is examining potential breaches of Article 36 of the code of ethics for elected officials.
The core of the inquiry focuses on whether the MNA "used or allowed use of state resources at the disposal of her riding for partisan purposes during the Quebec Liberal Party leadership race." This suggests the alleged infractions are connected to the internal party contest to select a new leader.
Immediate Repercussions and Next Steps
The immediate consequence for Lakhoyan Olivier is her removal from the Liberal caucus, a move that isolates her politically within the legislature. She will now sit as an independent MNA. The decision underscores the party's attempt to distance itself from the allegations pending the investigation's outcome.
This development marks a serious challenge for the MNA, who was photographed arriving for a Liberal caucus meeting in Montreal as recently as November 21, 2025. The ethics commissioner's office has not provided a timeline for when its investigation will be completed. Further details on the specific allegations are expected to emerge as the process continues.
