During a legislature hearing on Thursday, Antoine Bittar said he had been advocating for tougher drinking and driving legislation when the CAQ offered an opportunity for him and his partner, Élizabeth Rivera, to meet minister Geneviève Guilbault at an October 2023 fundraising cocktail.

Bittar said he and Rivera each paid $100 — the maximum annual political donation — because he felt it was a chance to press their cause and keep it from stagnating. The couple said they were offered four minutes with the minister, two minutes per person.