Jérémy Gabriel welcomes with disappointment, but "humility" and "dignity", the decision of the Supreme Court in favor of the humorist Mike Ward.

If he admits having come out "a little unearthed" from this legal battle and the repeated remarks on his person were difficult to overcome, Mr. Gabriel says he regrets nothing about the fight waged in the last ten years.

"I want to say to those who want to hear it that even in the worst situations, it is possible to get out of it even stronger," he commented by trying to hold back his tears, at a conferencePress Friday morning, in Montreal.

A little earlier, the highest court in the country decided in the case between Mr. Ward to the Human Rights and Youth Rights Commission (CDPDJ).In a five -four decision, the Supreme Court concluded that the artist had the right to make fun of Mr. Gabriel.

Ward had appealed the decision of the Quebec Court of Appeal, which ordered him to pay $ 35,000 in damages for Mr. Gabriel.

Jérémy Gabriel hopes that the debate started in recent years will continue."I wish with all my heart that the collective reflection on which we have looked will have an effect on the acceptance of the difference and respect that the new reality awaits us," he said.

Even if the court's decision represents a defeat for him, Mr. Gabriel invites people victims of discrimination to turn to the CDPDJ.

"The fights are worth it all," said the one who wishes to write a book to tell his story.

Gabriel said he did not have energy to try a defamation pursuit, stressing that the purpose of the complaint was "not to go to make money".

"It was to have at least recognition of the humorist that there are wrongs that have been committed and something must be done about that," he said.

He would have liked a frank discussion with the humorist in an amicable meeting, but the requests were refused.Mr. Gabriel would have liked to explain to him the impacts of his words about his life, which brought him to think of suicide, he reported.

Alongside Mr. Gabriel, the president of the CDPDJ, Philippe - André Tessier, wanted to recall that the purpose of the approaches of his organization was not to make the trial of humor and to limit freedom of expressionhumorists.

"But rather to defend the right to the dignity and equality of a young adolescent targeted by discriminatory remarks on the basis of his protected disability" by the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, commented Mr. Tessier.

The lawyers noted that the four dissident judges of the Supreme Court had resumed several of their arguments.

Frédéric Lacroix - Couture, the Canadian press