Roberge to table bill to ban vote buying in leadership races, in response to Quebec Liberal allegations

Quebec’s minister responsible for democratic institutions, Jean-François Roberge, will table a bill on Friday to ban vote buying in leadership races.

Last month, the Journal de Montréal published text messages suggesting that sums of money, referred to as “brownies,” had been paid to encourage people to vote for Liberal candidate Pablo Rodriguez in his leadership race.

The Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ) has since launched an investigation to shed light on these allegations.

Élections Québec has indicated that “in the context of a leadership race, the Election Act does not provide for an offence prohibiting someone from making a donation in exchange for a vote.”

This practice is therefore permitted, provided that all expenses of the candidates are compiled in a report submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer of Quebec.

RELATED: Independent report into Quebec Liberal vote-buying allegations due in January 2026

In light of this information, it had become “obvious” that legislation was necessary, Roberge stated during a press scrum on Thursday.

“I think that when we saw the allegations about what happened in the Liberal Party, the infamous ‘brownies’ of the Quebec Liberal Party, it was clear we had to act. We acted, and we acted quickly. I’m happy to close this loophole.

“I’ve consulted with representatives from all political parties. When I deal with electoral law, I always make sure to consult with everyone. It’s a sensitive issue. I received their moral support to move forward in this direction.”

Roberge’s bill would also regulate mayoral and nomination races in electoral districts. The law already prohibits paying money in exchange for a vote in general and by-elections.

The minister said he expects all opposition parties to support his initiative, so the bill could be passed by the end of the parliamentary session on Dec. 12.

“You know what? It’s a good thing. So, yes, let it be tabled, and yes, let it be passed,” Liberal MNA André Albert Morin said at a press conference.

“We have to make sure this doesn’t happen again, so we will fully cooperate,” added Parti Québécois MNA Alex Boissonneault.

–With files from La Presse Canadienne