Liberal Leader Confirms Federal MP's Fundraising Role
Quebec Liberal Leader Pablo Rodriguez found himself defending his leadership campaign Wednesday after revelations that a federal Liberal MP, Fayçal El-Khoury, raised funds for his bid despite the MP's previous denials of involvement. The controversy emerged following a chance meeting between the Liberal's former parliamentary leader, Marwah Rizqy, and El-Khoury at the November 14 inauguration of the Deux-Montagnes REM line, which sparked internal party tensions.
Legal but Controversial Fundraising Activities
During a morning news conference at the provincial legislature, Rodriguez acknowledged that El-Khoury, the MP for Laval-Les Îles, actively raised money for his leadership campaign. Rodriguez emphasized that all activities were entirely legal because El-Khoury possessed a Quebec Liberal Party campaign certificate authorizing him to solicit funds. "He raised money like lots of people," Rodriguez told reporters, downplaying the significance of the MP's involvement.
The leader's statements contradicted El-Khoury's earlier comments to La Presse, where the federal MP admitted meeting Rizqy but denied discussing the Rodriguez campaign. El-Khoury had insisted he had "no connection to the campaign" and claimed he hadn't sold any membership cards.
Deepening Party Crisis and Electoral Investigation
The situation has drawn the attention of Quebec's electoral officials, with La Presse reporting that Rizqy declined to comment on the revelations. Rodriguez expressed frustration that Rizqy's refusal to explain why she fired her former chief of staff, Geneviève Hinse, has complicated efforts to address questions about his campaign.
Rodriguez stated Tuesday that Rizqy's silence is damaging the party, as allegations of vote buying in his leadership campaign continue to generate media attention for a second week. The Quebec Liberals have established an independent inquiry to investigate these allegations, initially revealed last week in the Journal de Montréal.
Addressing the fundraising concerns directly, Rodriguez noted that all funds raised were properly reported to the Directeur général des élections (DGEQ) and that the reports remain publicly accessible. "I see nothing new in this. If someone has information, let them share it," he challenged during Wednesday's press conference, maintaining he has nothing to hide about his leadership campaign finances.
