Liberal leadership: UPAC met with MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier
Posted May 26, 2026 3:27 pm.
The Permanent Anti-Corruption Unit (UPAC) met with former Liberal MNA Sona Lakhoyan Olivier regarding the mysterious text messages about “brownies” that undermined the leadership of former PLQ leader Pablo Rodriguez.
It was the person most directly concerned who revealed this information on Tuesday just before she entered the Red Room for the question period.
As a reminder, last November, the Journal de Montréal revealed text messages suggesting that sums of money—called “brownies”—had been paid to encourage members to vote for Pablo Rodriguez, then a candidate for the Liberal leadership. The individuals responsible for these text messages were not named in the article.
Then, Cogeco claimed that the two people behind these mysterious text messages were Sona Lakhoyan Olivier and CAQ MNA Alice Abou-Khalil. Both elected officials quickly denied the allegations.
On Tuesday, Sona Lakhoyan Olivier reaffirmed that she had nothing to do with this text message story. “I can’t wait for UPAC to find out who’s behind this,” she stated during a press scrum at the National Assembly.
In March, “La Presse” reported that UPAC was unable to establish the authenticity of the text messages about “brownies”.
UPAC is investigating the leadership of Pablo Rodriguez, who has been tainted by several allegations of irregularities in the financing of his campaign.
Faced with a series of setbacks, Pablo Rodriguez had to resign in December, which paved the way for the coronation of Charles Milliard last February.
Elections Quebec is also investigating Rodriguez’s candidacy.
Severely blamed
Earlier this month, Sona Lakhoyan Olivier was severely reprimanded by the National Assembly’s Ethics Commissioner for using her constituency office for partisan purposes during the Liberal leadership race. She also obstructed the Commissioner’s investigation.
The report also recommended an $8,000 penalty due to the “seriousness of the breaches” and the “Member of Parliament’s lack of respect for her staff and the National Assembly.” Sona Lakhoyan Olivier said she would pay the fine.
Members of the National Assembly are expected to vote later on Tuesday on the fate of the elected representative from Chomedey.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
