Quebec election probe reportedly uncovers dozens of illegal donations tied to Pablo Rodriguez leadership campaign
Rodriguez has consistently denied wrongdoing. He resigned as Quebec Liberal leader after losing the confidence of his caucus amid the controversy.
Quebec's election watchdog has reportedly uncovered numerous illegal donations connected to former federal cabinet minister Pablo Rodriguez's campaign for the Quebec Liberal leadership and referred dozens of files to prosecutors.
According to the Journal de Montréal, Elections Quebec interviewed more than 300 witnesses during its months-long investigation and is preparing to issue notices of violation before winter.
The investigation centres partly on an alleged straw-donor scheme first exposed in December 2025. About 20 people allegedly received $500 in cash in exchange for making donations to Rodriguez's leadership campaign during a fundraiser at a Montreal businessman's home.
The businessman subsequently admitted to the newspaper's investigative team that he reimbursed the donations.
There is no evidence Rodriguez knew about the alleged scheme, despite being present at the event, and sources told the newspaper that Rodriguez himself is not believed to be a target of the Elections Quebec investigation.
Rodriguez has consistently denied wrongdoing. He resigned as Quebec Liberal leader after losing the confidence of his caucus amid the controversy.
The Elections Quebec investigation isn't the only probe surrounding the troubled leadership race.
Quebec's anti-corruption unit, UPAC, has also submitted an investigative file to provincial prosecutors. That investigation includes text messages allegedly discussing giving people $100 in exchange for voting for Rodriguez, a controversy dubbed the "brownies" affair. The practice was not illegal at the time, but Quebec subsequently changed the law.
UPAC's investigation also involves Chomedey MNA Sona Lakhoyan, who was expelled from the Liberal caucus.
Quebec Ethics Commissioner Ariane Mignolet previously found Lakhoyan committed ethical breaches after using her publicly funded constituency office as a "headquarters" for partisan activities connected to Rodriguez's leadership campaign.
The commissioner also found Lakhoyan deleted WhatsApp evidence and obstructed the ethics investigation.
Sheila Gunn Reid
Chief Reporter
Sheila Gunn Reid is the Editor-in-Chief, Alberta Bureau Chief, member of the board of directors, and host of The Gunn Show at Rebel News. Sheila also serves as President of the Independent Press Gallery of Canada. A mother of three and longtime conservative activist, Sheila is the author of bestselling books, including her most recent release, Independence Blueprint: What Alberta Can Learn From Quebec.
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COMMENTS
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Bruce Atchison commented 2026-08-26 19:44:38 -0400That’s the Liberal way. They bend or break rules that get in their way and bribe their way to power.
