Quebec Liberals' exoneration by judge's report is disputed in the National Assembly

A retired judge's report found no conclusive evidence of vote-buying in the Quebec Liberal leadership race, but critics in the National Assembly called the inquiry 'toothless' and investigations by the anti-corruption police and the assembly's ethics commissioner are ongoing.

Retired judge Jacques Fournier released a 39-page report into allegations of vote-buying during the Quebec Liberal leadership race. He found no conclusive evidence that a vote-buying scheme occurred and said some text messages appeared edited. Fournier also said he had no institutional powers of coercion or investigation. The report has divided members of the National Assembly, with some Liberals saying it clears them and rivals calling it "toothless". Key points: - The inquiry reviewed documents, emails and text messages and interviewed more than a dozen witnesses; the report did not find conclusive proof of vote buying. - Fournier wrote that he lacked coercive powers and did not have access to all material referenced by media reporting on the case. - Investigations are ongoing: Quebec's anti-corruption police unit is still examining the Rodriguez leadership campaign, and the National Assembly's ethics commissioner continues to look into Sona Lakhoyan Olivier's actions. Summary: The report removed definitive findings of wrongdoing by the individuals named in the inquiry but left critics arguing it could not fully resolve the questions. Law-enforcement and parliamentary ethics reviews remain active while reactions in the assembly stay divided. Undetermined at this time.