Just for Laughs founder Gilbert Rozon arrives at the courthouse for his civil trial in Montreal on Monday, Sept. 22, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

By The Canadian Press

Quebec impresario Gilbert Rozon’s $14M sexual assault civil trial now up to judge

Sep 29, 2025 | 4:22 PM

MONTREAL — After 10 long months, the civil trial pitting Quebec impresario Gilbert Rozon against nine plaintiffs accusing him of sexual assault has come to an end.

The 70-year-old Rozon is being sued for a total of nearly $14 million in damages over allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.

The alleged incidents occurred between 1980 and 2004, during a period when he founded Just for Laughs.

He has denied the allegations and said that the women have formed a coalition against him with the aim of getting rich.

Rozon stepped down from Just for Laughs in 2017 and later sold the company.

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Quebec Superior Court Justice Chantal Tremblay will now have six months to render her ruling, as per the Quebec Code of Civil Procedure.

Nine women — Patricia Tulasne, Lyne Charlebois, Anne-Marie Charrette, Annick Charrette, Sophie Moreau, Danie Frenette, Guylaine Courcelles, Mary Sicari, and Martine Roy — filed lawsuits against Rozon.

“Since the beginning we’ve been telling our truth, the truth,” Tulasne told reporters following a full final day of hearings.

“When we hear the other side contradict us, it hurts, but I’m happy that I spoke, I’m liberated and I did what I had to do, the rest is not up to me.”

Rozon was not present Monday as the case wrapped up after six days of closing arguments.

The plaintiffs in attendance told reporters they had no regrets about coming to court and putting themselves in the limelight over the past months.

“I insist that all victims of sexual violence denounce it,” Tulasne said. “It’s very important, the more who come forward, the more justice will evolve.”

In addition to the intense civil trial itself, the proceedings also tested new Civil Code restrictions on questioning in sexual-assault cases.

The changes – adopted days before the trial started in December 2024 – prohibit questions from lawyers that suggest an alleged victim’s sexual past or their decision to stay in contact with an alleged abuser harms their credibility. The changes to the Quebec Civil Code say there is “a presumption of irrelevance of proof based on myths and stereotypes recognized in criminal law.”

Rozon’s lawyers tried to challenge new restrictions, but the plaintiffs subsequently advised the court they would not seek to invoke the Civil Code provision.

Tremblay also heard arguments on the Civil Code issue, with lawyers from province’s attorney general testifying late last week.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 29, 2025.

Sidhartha Banerjee, The Canadian Press