No charges against former Quebec cabinet minister Pierre Paradis after complaint of sexual nature

PierreParadis, a Quebec MNA and former cabinet minister,will not be charged following a provincial police investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct,Crown prosecutors announced Monday.

In a statement, the Crown said after examining the results of the Sret du Qubec probe, it will not lay charges because it is "not reasonably convinced" it can prove Paradis's guilt.

• Pierre Paradis out of cabinet, Liberal caucus as police probe complaint of sexual nature

Paradis, who represents the Eastern Townships riding ofBrome-Missisquoiand was minister of agriculture and fisheries, was stripped of his cabinet portfolio and booted from the Liberal caucus in late January.

The decision came after Premier Philippe Couillard learned police were investigating a complaint of a sexual nature made by someone who was a former employee of Paradis's.

The Crown said that prosecutors met with the complainant to explain their reasoning before making the announcement.

No return to caucus, yet

LouisetteHbert, a spokesperson forParadis, told Radio-Canada that the Quebec MNA was "happy and relieved" that the Crown will not be laying charges.

She added that she was not sure if he would ask to rejointhe Liberal caucus.Couillard, for his part, said he won't comment on the Crown's decisionuntil he speaks with his caucus.

Paradis, 66, has represented theriding ofBrome-Missisquoias a Liberal MNA since 1980.

He's currently listed anindependentbut hasn't been able to carry out many of his duties since suffering a concussion while horseback riding earlier this year.

"I don't know if he wants to return to the National Assembly,"Hbertsaid.