PLQ appoints an ‘ethics officer’ for leadership race

The Quebec Liberal Party (QLP) has appointed a “compliance and ethics officer” to ensure compliance with the Election Act in terms of financing during its new leadership race.

This is what the political party indicated in the terms and conditions officially adopted on Sunday to oversee the race to choose Pablo Rodriguez’s successor.

The role of “compliance and ethics officer” will be filled by lawyer Julien Morissette. He will be “responsible for ensuring compliance with the Election Act, particularly with regard to soliciting contributions,” according to a document on the rules made public on Monday.

According to the PLQ, Morissette has expertise in the Election Act and has been involved in the party’s legal committee for several years.

A week before Christmas, Rodriguez resigned from his position following media revelations about the financing of his leadership campaign. He had been at the head of the PLQ for just over six months.

The terms and conditions of the race include several provisions relating to compliance and ethics. These mainly concern financial representatives and solicitors, that is, those who will be mandated to solicit contributions from each of the potential candidates.

The political party requires financial representatives to ensure “that all contributions are made from the donor’s own assets, voluntarily, without compensation or consideration, and that they will not be subject to any reimbursement.”

A few days before Rodriguez’s departure, Le Journal de Montréal alleged that some 20 donors to the former leader’s campaign had been reimbursed for their $500 contributions at a fundraising event—a practice that is illegal under the Election Act.

As part of the new race, the PLQ is also asking financial representatives to “immediately notify the compliance and ethics officer of any allegations made to them regarding a violation of the provisions of the Election Act or the terms and conditions.” They will be required to “refund any contributions made in contravention of these provisions, if applicable.”

Among other things, solicitors will be required to complete training provided by the compliance and ethics officer before beginning any solicitation. They will also be required to present a “solicitor’s certificate” when soliciting donations in person.

The new leader is to be elected at a convention to be held on March 14. The race will officially begin next Monday, and those wishing to run for the leadership will have until Feb. 13 at 5 p.m. to register their interest.

So far, no one has officially announced their candidacy. The name of Charles Milliard, former president of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce, who finished second behind Rodriguez in the last race, is being circulated. Before the holidays, it was reported that Milliard was considering running.

–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews