Liberal Crisis Deepens as Rizqy Stands Firm on Dismissal
The Quebec Liberal Party faces mounting internal pressure as former parliamentary leader Marwah Rizqy has firmly defended her decision to fire chief of staff Geneviève Hinse, just as party members prepare for a crucial Friday meeting in Montreal.
In a legal letter obtained by Cogeco and read on air by journalist Louis Lacroix, Rizqy's lawyers asserted that Hinse was terminated for significant ethical breaches and failure to comply with the National Assembly's standards. The correspondence represents Rizqy's formal response to earlier legal threats from Hinse's legal team.
Legal Battle Escalates Over Dismissal
The conflict erupted when Hinse's lawyers had given Rizqy 24 hours to publicly admit there was no justified motive for the firing, threatening potential legal action if she failed to comply. Instead of backing down, Rizqy's legal team delivered a forceful rebuttal.
According to the letter read by Lacroix, Rizqy could not state that Hinse had been fired without motive because that would be a false and erroneous declaration. The document outlined multiple grounds for termination, including:
- Repeated acts of insubordination
- Non-compliance with National Assembly standards
- Refusal to follow directives to consult with the ethics commissioner
- Breaches of internal procedures and position expectations
Leadership Turmoil Rocks Quebec Liberals
The firing triggered immediate political consequences within the party. Quebec Liberal Leader Pablo Rodriguez, who said he hadn't been consulted about Hinse's dismissal, subsequently removed Rizqy from her role as parliamentary leader on Monday.
Rodriguez, elected as party leader in June, acknowledged Wednesday that he still didn't know why Rizqy had chosen to fire Hinse, who had previously served as his chief of staff during his federal political career before following him into Quebec politics.
The situation worsened for Rodriguez when a Journal de Montréal report alleged that some Liberal party members received $100 each for supporting him during the spring leadership race. Rodriguez responded by stating he had nothing to hide and was unaware of the vote-buying allegations before the report surfaced.
Critical Party Meeting Looms
Liberal MNAs are scheduled to convene at 1 p.m. Friday at party headquarters in Montreal, with Rodriguez expected to address reporters around 2 p.m. The caucus is anticipated to discuss Rizqy's detailed letter, which claims Hinse is well aware of the reasons that led to her termination.
Rizqy's legal representatives declined to provide The Gazette with a copy of the letter but confirmed its delivery to Hinse's lawyers. The document emphasized that the dismissal followed a careful review of multiple concerning situations regarding Hinse's professional conduct and duty performance.
As the Quebec Liberals navigate this internal crisis, the outcome of Friday's meeting could significantly impact the party's stability and leadership dynamics moving forward.
