Quebec Liberals Expel Sona Lakhoyan Olivier Amid Ethics Probe

QUEBEC – The Quebec Liberal Party has expelled Sona Lakhoyan Olivier, a member of the legislature representing the Montreal area, as the party grapples with internal turmoil. The decision comes in light of an ongoing investigation by the Quebec Ethics Commissioner to determine whether Lakhoyan Olivier misused resources from her constituency office during the party’s leadership race.

Details of the Investigation

The investigation will focus on allegations that Lakhoyan Olivier may have employed her office’s resources for political campaigning, a breach of ethical conduct. In response to her expulsion, Lakhoyan Olivier took to social media, asserting her commitment to following the rules and expressing her willingness to cooperate fully with the ethics inquiry.

Earlier this week, Pablo Rodriguez, the leader of the Quebec Liberals, expelled another party member, Marwah Rizqy, from the caucus. Rodriguez cited a lack of loyalty as the reason for Rizqy’s removal, following her dismissal of her chief of staff without prior consultation.

Controversial Text Messages

Lakhoyan Olivier’s name has also surfaced in connection with a report by the Journal de Montréal, which referenced text messages suggesting the possibility of cash rewards for party members supporting Rodriguez. Montreal radio station 98.5 FM identified Lakhoyan Olivier as one of the individuals linked to these communications. She has publicly denied these allegations and has issued a legal notice to the owner of the station, Cogeco, disputing the claims.

The authenticity of the text messages remains unverified by The Canadian Press, which first reported on the situation on December 5, 2025. The ongoing crisis within the Quebec Liberals highlights significant challenges facing the party, as it navigates issues of loyalty and ethical conduct amid increasing scrutiny from both the public and regulatory bodies.

As the investigation unfolds, the implications for Lakhoyan Olivier and the broader party landscape could be substantial, potentially affecting the party’s standing in future elections.