MNA Gerry Sklavounos won't be charged with sexual assault, wants to return to work

Gerry Sklavounos, the Montreal MNAaccused of sexual assault, says he wantsto return to work afterQuebec's Crown prosecutor's office announced it would not lay charges against him.

Sklavounos, who represents the riding of Laurier-Dorion,leftthe Liberal caucus and took medical leave from the National Assembly following allegations made by a Quebec City woman.

AlicePaquethad accusedSklavounosof sexually assaultingher on two occasions in 2014while she was working as a restaurant hostess.

She said he blackmailed her, telling her not to tell anyone about the alleged assault because no one would believe her.

• AlicePaquet, who says she was sexually assaulted by Liberal MNA, speaks out

In a statement published to his Facebook page and written in French, English and Greek, the42-year-old politician thanked his family, friends and electors "for their trust and support during this particularly difficult period."

"It is with relief and satisfaction that my family and I have welcomed the decision of the DPCP[Quebec's Director of Penal and Criminal Prosecutions] to not lay charges following allegations made public last October," he said.

"This matter now closed, I intend to fully resume, as quickly as possible, my activities on behalf of the citizens of Laurier-Dorion who have entrusted me with this fourth term to represent them in the National Assembly."

Sklavounoswas first elected inLaurier-Dorionin 2007 and was re-elected threetimes, in 2008, 2012 and 2014.

• Who is GerrySklavounos, MNA facing assault allegations?

No criminal act committed

In a news release, the Crown saidprosecutorsdetermined no criminal act hadbeen committed,based on the investigation carried out by Quebec City police.

The decision had beenexplained to Paquet, the Crown says.

Paquet did not address reporters Thursdaybut had a friend, Mlanie Lemay, speak on her behalf.

Lemay,the co-founder of the movement Qubec contre les violences sexuelles,said Paquetwas surprised by the decision and "heartbroken," but that she is encouragingvictims of sexual assault to continue their strugglefor justice.

"She's putting forward a message of hope, to keep fighting so the truth aboutrape culture in Quebec is kept at the forefront," Lemay said.

• Who is Gerry Sklavounos, MNA facing assault allegations?

Should he return?

Treasury Board President Pierre Moreausaid the news is good news for Sklavounos, but he wouldn't say whether he thought Sklavounos should be allowed back into the Liberal fold.

"Should he be reinstated in the caucus? This is an issue that needs to be debated in caucus," he said.

Qubec Solidaire MNA Manon Mass said she still believes Paquet, citing statistics she said shows that the judicial system isn't equipped to handle cases of sexual violence.

When asked, Mass said she has no opinion on whether Sklavounos should return to the National Assembly.

However, she said he needs to ask himself whether he still believes he is"worthy" of representingthe women and men in his riding, and that Premier Philippe Couillard should do the same.