Former Mayor of Montreal, Denis Coderre, is yet to provide all the necessary documentation to validate his application for the leadership race of the Quebec Liberal Party (QLP), alleges an undisclosed source within the party. This insider, who asked to remain anonymous as they aren’t authorized to publicly discuss the matter, indicated that the outstanding documents pertain to Coderre’s financial situation.

News sources in recent times have brought to light that Coderre has tax liabilities amounting to approximately $400,000. This includes over $130,000 owing to Revenu Québec and in excess of $266,000 to the Canada Revenue Agency. Despite these allegations, Coderre, who officially filed his candidacy at the QLP office in Quebec City earlier this year, insisted that there are no issues with his outstanding tax payments.

Coderre’s legal representative, Richard Généreux, has previously confirmed that all tax issues have been addressed as part of a comprehensive repayment plan, and his provincial and federal assets secure all amounts due.

Last week, Coderre reiterated that his documentation was complete and that he had provided all the required documents to the party. “The party asks me for things, and I give it to them,” he stated. However, he did not respond to requests for comments last Friday.

Normally, the committee responsible for vetting and authorizing the candidacy of party leader hopefuls has a seven-day window to accept or reject a candidate once the necessary documents have been submitted. Nonetheless, this seven-day countdown has not yet started due to the incomplete submission of Coderre’s documents, according to the anonymous source.

Rafaël Primeau-Ferraro, QLP President, confirmed last Friday that the process regarding Coderre’s candidacy is still in progress. The nomination period will close on April 11, with the new leader scheduled to be elected on June 14.