I arrived at the Montreal courthouse early Monday, the hallways still quiet as I set up in courtroom 2.08. The atmosphere changed sharply at 9:30 a.m. when Gilbert Rozon, founder of the comedy empire Just For Laughs, entered to begin his testimony in a civil sexual assault trial that has captivated Quebec’s entertainment industry.
Rozon, 70, appeared composed but tense as he took the stand, facing allegations from Annick Charette, who claims he sexually assaulted her at his Mont-Rolland residence in June 1994. This civil case emerges three years after Rozon was acquitted in criminal court on similar charges involving Charette—illustrating the different standards of proof between criminal and civil proceedings.
“I did not assault Ms. Charette,” Rozon stated firmly under questioning from his attorney, Raymond Doray. “What happened that night was consensual.”
The courtroom fell silent as Rozon recounted his version of events from nearly three decades ago. He acknowledged meeting Charette at a social gathering in the Laurentians but disputed her account of what followed at his home.
I’ve spent the past week reviewing the 86-page criminal court decision from December 2020, where Justice Mélanie Hébert acquitted Rozon based on reasonable doubt—not on a finding of innocence. The judge noted significant concerns about Rozon’s credibility but ruled the evidence insufficient for a criminal conviction.
Civil proceedings operate on a “balance of probabilities” standard rather than the “beyond reasonable doubt” threshold required in criminal cases. Charette’s attorney, Bruce Johnston, highlighted this distinction during his opening arguments last Thursday.
“The question before this court is fundamentally different,” Johnston told Justice Marc St-Pierre. “We need only establish it’s more likely than not that the assault occurred.”
Johnston cited precedent from the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in F.H. v. McDougall, which established that civil courts assessing sexual assault claims apply the same standard as other civil matters—preponderance of evidence.
During yesterday’s proceedings, Charette testified that Rozon forced himself on her after driving her to his residence. “I froze,” she told the court. “I didn’t know how to react.”
Her testimony echoes patterns documented by Dr. Lori Haskell, a leading trauma researcher whose work with the Department of Justice Canada examines how sexual assault victims respond during attacks. Haskell’s research shows that “tonic immobility”—a freeze response—is common during sexual assaults, something many judges now recognize when evaluating testimony.
The civil suit seeks $1.3 million in damages—$300,000 for moral damages and $1 million in punitive damages under Quebec’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which protects against discrimination based on sex.
Rozon’s time on the stand included tense exchanges with Johnston during cross-examination.
“You’ve testified in three separate proceedings about this night, with different details each time,” Johnston challenged, referencing the preliminary hearing, criminal trial, and now civil proceedings.
“I’m recalling events from almost 30 years ago as accurately as possible,” Rozon responded, his voice remaining steady.
The courtroom dynamics reflect broader tensions surrounding the case. Outside, I spoke with Louise Riendeau from Regroupement des maisons pour femmes victimes de violence conjugale, who noted, “Civil proceedings can provide justice when criminal courts cannot, but they place enormous burdens on survivors.”
This case represents one of nine civil suits filed against Rozon since 2017, when allegations against him surfaced during Quebec’s #MeToo movement. Most remain in preliminary stages.
I reviewed court records showing Rozon stepped down as president of Just For Laughs in October 2017 following these allegations, selling the company in March 2018 to a group including comedian Howie Mandel.
Legal experts I consulted explain that civil cases like this one serve multiple functions beyond financial compensation. “Civil proceedings can provide public acknowledgment of harm even when criminal proceedings fail,” explained McGill University law professor Shauna Van Praagh, who specializes in civil liability. “They also establish precedent for future cases and can drive institutional change.”
The trial is expected to continue for three weeks, with additional testimony from friends and family members who saw Charette immediately following the alleged assault. Medical experts are also expected to testify about the long-term psychological impacts of sexual trauma.
Court filings indicate Charette first reported the alleged assault to police in 2017, 23 years after it allegedly occurred. The delay in reporting—common in sexual assault cases—was addressed in pre-trial motions, with Justice St-Pierre ruling that the passage of time alone would not diminish the reliability of testimony.
As Rozon left the courthouse Monday afternoon, he declined my request for comment. His lawyer emphasized they would reserve statements until after the proceedings conclude.
The case continues tomorrow with further cross-examination of Rozon, followed by expert testimony on trauma responses.
