Charles Milliard threatens legal action against Paul St

Charles Milliard threatens legal action against Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, demands apology

Parti Québécois leader raised questions on Friday over the Quebec Liberal Party's funding

The leader of the Quebec Liberal Party (PLQ), Charles Milliard, is putting the leader of the Parti Québécois (PQ) on notice over comments Paul St-Pierre Plamondon made linking the PLQ to organized crime on the last day of the legislature before the fall elections.

On Friday, St-Pierre Plamondon used the discussion on the ongoing investigation by Quebec's anti-corruption unit into the PLQ's 2025 leadership race as a springboard to raise questions around the PLQ's funding. He said that, though there is no evidence, the theory that some of the party's money came from organized crime is "legitimate and logical."

During a news conference on Sunday morning, Milliard said he took issue with attacks on the party's reputation, calling St-Pierre Plamondon's comments "irresponsible, defamatory and unworthy" of a person who aspires to the premiership.

"There's a fundamental difference between taking legitimate actions and throwing around baseless accusations in the spirit of misleading the population and sowing doubt," Milliard said in French.

He said his party will take legal action against St-Pierre Plamondon if he does not retract his comments and issue an apology. According to the legal notice reviewed by Radio-Canada, Milliard is giving St-Pierre Plamondon 72 hours to do so.

St-Pierre Plamondon asserted he would do no such thing in a news conference of his own a few hours later, adding this isn't the first time the PLQ has threatened to sue him.

Quebec Liberal Party wants apology from Parti Québécois leader

The PQ leader also said he did not connect the PLQ to organized crime but was merely raising a question.

"I asked questions about the unresolved origin of the funds used in an illegal financing scheme, and it was in this specific context that I posed, in the form of a question, a hypothesis that is perfectly plausible," he said in French.

MNAs are accorded legal immunity for statements made during debates at the National Assembly. However, the Parti Québécois leader's attack on his Liberal rivals occurred during his party's year-end review, a press conference that does not offer such protection.

Quebec's anti-corruption unit, known as UPAC, is investigating alleged illegal financing during the PLQ leadership race that elected Pablo Rodriguez last summer.

In December, allegations surfaced that a supporter had issued campaign donation reimbursements. It is alleged that the host of a fundraising event — that Rodriguez attended — handed back $500 in cash to roughly 20 people who could not afford the entry price, effectively covering their donations.

Why the Fréchette government is being accused of using UPAC to hunt down whistleblowers

Pablo Rodriguez steps down as Quebec Liberal leader with 'head held high'

Speaking on Friday, St-Pierre Plamondon said the PLQ had engaged "in financing that is clearly illegal," involving dozens of people.

"Are there links to organized crime? What we know for certain is that a fundraising event to create a slush fund is taking place," he said.

Milliard says he hasn't spoken with St-Pierre Plamondon since Friday.

"If he wants to reach out to me, I'll be happy to speak with him," said Milliard. "But for now, the decision is his. And he'll be responsible for his actions."