The former chief of staff for the Quebec Liberals, Geneviève Hinse, has taken legal action against MNA Marwah Rizqy, demanding an acknowledgment that she was terminated “without valid reasons.” Rizqy was recently suspended from the party caucus by leader Pablo Rodriguez for dismissing Hinse without his authorization.
Hinse’s lawyer, Jacques Jeansonne, issued a formal notice on Wednesday, requiring Rizqy to publicly apologize within 24 hours to avoid further legal consequences. According to Jeansonne, Rizqy failed to justify Hinse’s dismissal directly to his client, which should have been handled by the party leader.
Following her appointment by Rodriguez in June, Rizqy was serving as the parliamentary leader until she was relieved of her duties due to a breach of trust in relation to Hinse’s firing. Sources suggest that the conflict leading to Hinse’s termination stemmed from a clash of personalities between her and Rizqy.
Rodriguez expressed uncertainty about Rizqy’s motives for firing Hinse during a press briefing, emphasizing that he was still awaiting an explanation. Hinse, who previously worked with Rodriguez in federal politics, transitioned with him into Quebec politics.
The Quebec Liberals are facing challenges with internal affairs this week, as Rodriguez ordered an independent investigation into allegations of members being incentivized to vote for him during the leadership campaign. The chief electoral officer of Quebec is expected to announce a decision on opening an investigation into the matter later today. Former committee chair André Pratte, who worked closely with Hinse in the past, questioned Rizqy’s unilateral actions, emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability within the party.