Victims of sexual assault or harassment by Gilbert Rozon
After the Court of Appeal refused to authorize a class action on behalf of all victims of Gilbert Rozon, nine of them filed individual lawsuits against him. At the defendant’s request, their nine cases have been joined and will be heard in a single trial. This trial will take place from December 9, 2024 to March 28, 2025, before the Honourable Chantal Tremblay of the Superior Court of Québec.
The class action
On November 27, 2017, the non-profit association Les Courageuses filed an application to be authorized to bring a class action on behalf of the victims of Gilbert Rozon.
On May 22, 2018, the Honourable Justice Donald Bisson authorized a class action by Les Courageuses against Gilbert Rozon.
On August 15, 2018, the Honourable Justice Schrager of the Court of Appeal allowed Rozon to appeal the Superior Court judgment authorizing the class action. The hearing before three judges of the Court of Appeal took place on May 16, 2019.
On January 8, 2020, the Quebec Court of Appeal overturned the decision of the Quebec Superior Court authorizing the class action instituted by Les Courageuses against Gilbert Rozon. Two out of three judges of the Court of Appeal reasoned that the proposed class action was not the appropriate procedural vehicle and that the victims should rather institute individual lawsuits. The Honourable Justice Dominique Bélanger, dissenting, would have dismissed the appeal and authorized the class action to proceed.
On March 5, Les Courageuses notified and filed an application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada from the Court of Appeal’s decision overturning the judgment authorizing the class action. The Supreme Court of Canada denied leave to appeal.
On April 15, 2021, Ms. Patricia Tulasne, who was the designated representative in the class action lawsuit against Gilbert Rozon, filed a civil suit against him, seeking compensatory and punitive damages amounting to $1,6M. In her application, Ms. Tulasne alleges that Mr. Rozon sexually assaulted her in 1994, causing her severe prejudice.
On May 6, 2021, Ms. Lyne Charlebois also filed a civil suit against Gilbert Rozon, seeking $1,7M in compensatory and punitive damages, alleging that he sexually assaulted her in 1982, causing her severe prejudice.
On May 28, 2021, Ms. Danie Frenette also filed a civil suit against Gilbert Rozon, seeking $2,2M in compensatory and punitive damages, alleging that he sexually assaulted her in 1988, and then harassed her and abused her, causing her prejudice still continuing to this day.
On June 23, 2021, Ms. Annick Charette became the fourth woman to file a civil suit against Gilbert Rozon, claiming $1.3 million in compensatory and punitive damages. She accuses Mr. Rozon of having raped her in 1980 and of having lied to the court while testifying under oath in his criminal trial for the same events. Ms. Charette alleges that she has suffered severe prejudice not only from the rape, but also from the sordid scenario fabricated by Mr. Rozon.
On October 7, 2021, Ms. Anne-Marie Charrette filed a civil suit against Gilbert Rozon, claiming $1,2M in compensatory and punitive damages. She alleges that she was confined and sexually assaulted by Mr. Rozon in 1987 and still suffers from it today.
On November 18, 2021, Ms. Sophie Moreau filed a civil suit against Gilbert Rozon, claiming $1,25M in compensatory and punitive damages. She alleges that she was sexually assaulted and harassed by Mr. Rozon in 1988 and 1989, causing her severe prejudice.
On October 14, 2022, three other Courageuses each filed a civil suit against Gilbert Rozon. Martine Roy, his former sister-in-law, is claiming $1.35 million in compensatory and punitive damages, alleging that he sexually assaulted her and raped her in 1993 and 1995. Mary Sicari, who alleges that Gilbert Rozon sexually assaulted and harassed her on countless occasions between 1988 and 2004, while she was working for Les Films Rozon and Les Productions Rozon, is claiming $1.25 million. Guylaine Courcelles alleges that Gilbert Rozon sexually assaulted her in 1987, when she was 22 years old. She is claiming $1.9 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
A toll-free information helpline exists for sexual assault victims of all ages. The service provides free, bilingual and confidential support and guidance, and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, throughout Québec, at a toll-free number: 1 888 933-9007 or 514 933-9007 for the Montreal region.