Marwah Rizqy remains excluded from Liberal caucus

Marwah Rizqy will not rejoin the Liberal caucus. The new leader of the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ), Charles Milliard, announced his decision on Wednesday afternoon – as legal proceedings tied to last year’s internal party conflict continue.

“I’ll be very clear, I mentioned to her that this is in no way a punishment against her. But for me, in my rigorous and methodical way of working and establishing myself as a political leader, I want to have all the information,” Milliard explained.

Rizqy returned earlier this month to the National Assembly of Quebec as an independent, saying she still considers herself a Liberal and stands by the decisions that led to her expulsion from caucus under former leader Pablo Rodriguez.

The conflict, centred on Rizqy’s dismissal of Rodriguez’s chief of staff Geneviève Hinse, plunged the party into crisis and ultimately led to Rodriguez’s resignation. 

Hinse is now suing Rizqy for $500,000.

The event triggered a crisis that culminated in Rodriguez’s resignation in December. The then-Liberal leader was embroiled in allegations of irregularities in the financing of his leadership campaign. The province’s Anti-Corruption Unit (UPAC) has since launched an investigation.

Late Wednesday afternoon the Ethics Commissioner announced they would not be opening an investigation into Rizqy, finding no evidence linking her to misuse of office resources during Rodriguez’s campaign.

Milliard’s stated that his decision was his alone with no vote held and not a punishment, but a pause until court proceedings provide clearer answers.

He says he spoke with Rizqy twice Wednesday before making the announcement, describing their conversation as cordial and saying the MNA wished him success moving forward.

Meanwhile, Rizqy’s husband, Liberal MNA Greg Kelley, remains within caucus. Milliard says Kelley himself asked not to take part in caucus discussions on the matter. A few weeks ago, Kelley had expressed his wish that his spouse be reinstated to the Liberal team. 

Another MNA excluded

MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier was also excluded from the Liberal caucus in the wake of the crisis, following the launch of an investigation by the ethics commissioner. 

The investigation concerns the use of resources from her county office during the first leadership race of the Quebec Liberal Party. Lakhoyan Olivier had supported Rodriguez.

–With files from Thomas Laberge, La Presse Canadienne