His comments Wednesday were in reaction to a report by Quebecor about text messages suggesting that members who supported Rodriguez during the leadership race received cash rewards.

In a short written statement, the Liberal leader said the allegations are serious and he asked the president of the party to mandate an outside firm to investigate.

The latest revelations are piling on to other bad news this week for the party and Rodriguez, the ex-federal Liberal cabinet minister who won the leadership race in June. On Tuesday, Rodriguez dismissed Marwah Rizqy from her position as parliamentary leader and suspended her from the caucus, citing a "breach of trust."

He said he took the decision after learning that Rizqy had fired her chief of staff, Geneviève Hinse, without consulting him first, adding that he had “no idea” Hinse was dismissed.

Rodriguez, who doesn't hold a seat in the legislature, had entrusted Rizqy to serve as the party's leader in the national assembly until the 2026 general election. She had endorsed Rodriguez in the leadership race.

The crisis within the Quebec Liberals reached Ottawa on Wednesday, where Rodriguez's former colleagues expressed their support for him.

"Pablo was not only my colleague, he was also my friend. I think he's the right person to manage crises," Stéphane Lauzon, the Liberal MNA for Argenteuil—La Petite-Nation, told reporters.

“Obviously, Pablo is a great friend. I support him,” added Pontiac—Kitigan Zibi MP Sophie Chatel.

“He’s a longtime colleague I’ve known for a very long time. I trust Pablo,” added Steven MacKinnon, leader of the government in the House of Commons.

For his part, Quebec Centre MP Jean-Yves Duclos acknowledged that the matter raises several questions. “I think a lot of people are asking questions about the situation, and obviously, I’m one of them, but we’ll see what the details are."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 19, 2025.

—With files from Émilie Bergeron and Frédéric Lacroix-Couture in Ottawa