MONTREAL (Azat TV) – Gilbert Rozon, founder of the Just for Laughs festival, has formally withdrawn his defamation lawsuit against Quebec media personalities Pénélope McQuade and Julie Snyder following an out-of-court settlement reached in late March 2026. The move closes a significant legal chapter that began six years ago after both women publicly accused Rozon of sexual assault during the height of the #MeToo movement in 2020.
Gilbert Rozon’s defamation lawsuit ends with settlement
Rozon initially filed the defamation suit in October 2020, seeking $450,000 in damages for statements made by McQuade and Snyder on their respective television programs. The lawsuit alleged that the two used their public platforms to orchestrate a “planned, orchestrated and staged attack” against him. Rozon has consistently denied all allegations of sexual misconduct.
On March 26, 2026, Rozon issued a statement confirming that the parties had agreed to a mutual discontinuance of their legal actions. “The people concerned have already had the opportunity to testify and present their version of the facts before the Honourable Justice Chantal Tremblay,” he said, emphasizing a desire to avoid further judicial resource consumption on matters already examined.
Media figures respond to lawsuit withdrawal amid broader civil claims
Pénélope McQuade described the withdrawal as the conclusion of a long legal battle that began nearly a decade ago. “For me, this is an important chapter that is closing and I feel an indescribable relief,” she said, while reaffirming solidarity with survivors of sexual violence still seeking recognition.
Julie Snyder expressed similar sentiments, highlighting the six-year legal struggle she faced following Rozon’s suit. Snyder has also filed a counterclaim alleging abuse of process, contending that her statements were truthful and legitimate. She noted that the court will soon render judgment on related proceedings initiated by a group of women known as Les Courageuses, who have brought civil claims of sexual assault against Rozon.
Ongoing civil trial involving sexual assault allegations against Gilbert Rozon
The defamation suit’s closure does not end Rozon’s legal challenges. He remains involved in a civil trial brought by nine women accusing him of sexual assault and harassment. Attempts by Les Courageuses to launch a $10-million class-action lawsuit were rejected by Quebec’s Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court of Canada declined to hear an appeal, leaving individual civil claims as the primary legal forum.
The ongoing civil trial is widely viewed as a test case for accountability and legal standards in Quebec’s #MeToo era, underscoring tensions between defamation law and victims’ rights to speak publicly about sexual violence.
This withdrawal of the defamation suit marks a pivotal legal shift by Gilbert Rozon, refocusing attention on the unresolved civil claims that carry profound implications for how Quebec balances reputational protections with survivors’ rights in the #MeToo context.