QUÉBEC — Former Quebec Liberal staffer Geneviève Hinse is firing back against claims that she was fired for using legislature funds for partisan use last year.

Hinse is suing Marwah Rizqy, the former Liberal parliamentary leader, for $500,000 for wrongful dismissal after she was fired on Nov. 17.

Responding to a statement of defence filed by Rizqy, Hinse refuted the politician’s allegations about trying to circumvent rules so that party staffers could use public funds of the legislature for partisan work.

Neither Rizqy’s nor Hinse’s claims have been tested in court.

The conflict set off a difficult series of events for former party leader Pablo Rodriguez, who stepped down in December, plagued by a number of scandals involving irregularities in the financing of his leadership campaign.

In a statement of defence filed in court last week, Rizqy explained for the first time why she fired Hinse, alleging a violation of ethics and national assembly rules by playing loose with rules.

In the aftermath of Hinse’s dismissal, Rizqy was expelled from the Liberal caucus by Rodriguez.

Hinse’s lawyers argued that it was common practice for staff and elected officials to devote “significant hours to partisan activities beyond their duties.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 4, 2026.

Thomas Laberge, The Canadian Press