The Supreme Court of Canada has rejected a Lieutenant-Governor's arguments that she should be immune to prosecution.
The decision means Lise Thibault, who served as the representative of the head of state for Quebec's from 1997 to 2007, will go to trial next year on charges of fraud, falsification of documents and breach of confidence.
Thibault allegedly misused $700,000 in public funds during her term in office.
Last year her lawyer argued in Superior Court that Thibault was immune to prosecution because she was the Queen's representative and as such was protected by royal privilege.
Quebec Superior Court rejected that argument, and on Thursday the Supreme Court of Canada refused to hear her appeal, effectively confirming the lower court's decision.
Thibault's criminal case begins on April 7, 2014.
Meanwhile the Quebec government is also suing Thibault in a separate, civil case for $92,000 for what it calls unjustified expenses.
Earlier this year Thibault argued her civil case should be suspended while the criminal case was pending, but in February a Superior Court judge rejected that request.
