Pablo Rodriguez resigned as Quebec Liberal Party leader on Wednesday, ending a tumultuous six-month tenure marked by allegations of campaign finance violations and vote-buying schemes.
The Liberal caucus learned of Rodriguez’s decision during a virtual meeting on Wednesday afternoon. He planned to hold a news conference on Thursday morning to address his departure.
The resignation comes less than a year before Quebec’s scheduled October 2026 provincial election and follows weeks of mounting pressure from party members. Radio-Canada sources said Rodriguez concluded his continued leadership had become detrimental to the party’s prospects.
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The crisis began on November 18 when Rodriguez suspended Liberal MNA Marwah Rizqy from caucus and removed her as parliamentary leader after she fired her chief of staff without consulting him. Days later, Le Journal de Montréal published alleged text messages suggesting some party members received $100 to vote for Rodriguez in the June leadership race.
Quebec’s anti-corruption police force, known as UPAC, opened a criminal investigation into the party last week, though officials did not specify what they were investigating.
The situation intensified on Tuesday when Le Journal de Montréal reported that approximately 20 donors to Rodriguez’s leadership campaign received envelopes containing $500 in cash to reimburse their donations during an April fundraising event. Quebec’s Election Act states that contributions “must be made voluntarily, without compensation and for no consideration, and may not be reimbursed in any way.”
In a statement, the Liberal Party confirmed Rodriguez attended the event but maintained that neither he nor his team had knowledge of any payouts. The party said it identified the event’s host and has mandated a lawyer to file a formal notice with UPAC and the chief electoral officer.
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Rodriguez left a long career in federal politics in September 2024, where he served as transport minister, heritage minister, and Quebec lieutenant under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He won the Quebec Liberal leadership in June with 52.3% of the vote, defeating businessman Charles Milliard.
The Quebec Liberals currently form the Official Opposition to Premier François Legault’s Coalition Avenir Québec government. The sovereigntist Parti Québécois has led in polls for months while support for Legault’s CAQ has declined.
Milliard and runner-up Karl Blackburn, who challenged Rodriguez in June, will likely compete for the leadership again, political observers say. Federal Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne ruled out a leadership bid on Wednesday, saying his focus remains on federal responsibilities.
The party faces the challenge of selecting a new leader and preparing for an election that must occur by October 2026, though it could be called earlier.
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