Woman accusing ex-MP of sex assault files suit after criminal case diverted
— A woman who has accused former New Democrat MP Romeo Saganash of sexual assault has filed a civil suit, saying she never wanted prosecutors to divert his criminal charge to a restorative justice program.
Carmen Roy, who fought to have her name released in the case, alleges she was sexually assaulted a year ago and now lives with “psychiatric, psychological, emotional and physical injuries.”
In a statement of claim filed this week, Roy publicly details the specifics of her allegations for the first time.
None of the allegations has been tested in court and no statement of defence has been filed. Saganash’s lawyer declined to comment, but Ethan Pollock has previously said that his client is presumed innocent.
He has also requested that Saganash’s privacy be respected.
“My client is determined to seek justice and stand up not only for herself but for victims everywhere,” Roy’s lawyer, Kathryn Marshall, said in a statement.
“She is a fighter and she is brave.” Winnipeg police arrested Saganash, who represented a northern Quebec riding for eight years, last June and charged him with sexual assault over an incident in Winnipeg on May 1, 2023.
In October, officials diverted the case to the Manitoba Restorative Justice Centre.
The provincial government describes its approach to restorative justice as one that “focuses on restoring relationships, fixing the damage that has been done and preventing more crimes from occurring.”
The effort to reintegrate the offender can include victims and community members “when appropriate,” it says.
Saganash is next scheduled to be in court May 17 for an administrative appearance.
“Manitoba Justice can confirm programming is still underway in this case and may be completed by the next court date,” a provincial spokesman said.
Roy is the executive assistant to Stephanie Scott, the head of the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation.
In July 2022, the federal government appointed Saganash as a member of a group of residential school survivors that would work in tandem with a national advisory committee on missing children and unmarked burials.
The committee and survivors’ circle are co-administered by the federal government and the national centre led by Scott.
Saganash’s membership was suspended after Roy’s allegations came to light.
Roy was never consulted on the actual decision to put Saganash in restorative justice, the statement of claim alleges, saying that prevented her from having an opportunity to provide a victim impact statement.