In tears, Sona Lakhoyan Olivier apologizes at National Assembly

Chomedey MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier was in tears when she apologized in the National Assembly after a damning report from the ethics commissioner revealed she had used her constituency office for partisan purposes during the Liberal leadership race.

Very emotional during her mea culpa on Thursday, the elected official acknowledged her responsibility while suggesting she would remain in her position.

“I acknowledge that I made a mistake and that I crossed certain lines set out in the code of ethics,” Lakhoyan Olivier said.

The commissioner’s report is unequivocal: “The constituency office premises and the staff salaries were used for partisan purposes between April and June 2025, and increasingly so at two pivotal moments in the race.”

It also indicates the MNA obstructed the commissioner’s investigation.

“It was not my intention to act inappropriately. I have always believed in good faith that my actions did not cross the line,” Lakhoyan Olivier asserted.

The commissioner recommended an $8,000 penalty due to the “seriousness of the breaches” and the “lack of respect shown by the member of the National Assembly towards her staff and the Assembly.” Lakhoyan Olivier stated that she accepted this sanction.

Members of the National Assembly have yet to vote on whether they will impose the penalty recommended by the commissioner.

Lakhoyan Olivier was expelled from the Liberal caucus last December when this investigation was launched.

Last week, Liberal leader Charles Milliard had the member expelled from his party.

Liberal leadership race

Lakhoyan Olivier supported Pablo Rodriguez in the first Liberal leadership race.

Shortly after his victory, the Journal de Montréal revealed text messages suggesting that members who supported Rodriguez in the race had received cash rewards. The individuals responsible for these messages were not named in the article.

The radio station Cogeco subsequently claimed that the two people behind the mysterious text messages were Lakhoyan Olivier and CAQ MNA Alice Abou-Khalil. Both elected officials denied the allegations and sent formal notices to Cogeco.

The text messages were one of the factors that plunged the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) into a deep crisis last year.

Faced with mounting setbacks, Rodriguez was forced to resign in December, paving the way for Milliard’s leadership victory last February.

The Permanent Anti-Corruption Unit (UPAC) and the Chief Electoral Officer are also investigating his candidacy. Milliard revealed on Wednesday that he had been interviewed by UPAC.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews