Union files multimillion-dollar lawsuit alleging harassment against artists' guild

The Union of Artists (UDA) is embroiled in a civil lawsuit filed by three of its former administrators. Michel Langevin, Joseph Bellerose, and Louis Champagne, who were elected to the UDA's board of directors on March 26, 2019, have jointly accused the board of directors of psychological harassment and other unprofessional conduct.

The plaintiffs claim that they were prevented from properly exercising their role as administrators when they asked legitimate questions related to their duty of oversight. The alleged hostile behaviour of their fellow administrators and director is linked to disagreements over "sensitive files."

The incidents of psychological harassment allegedly occurred during board meetings. The plaintiffs reportedly denounced the potential conflict of interest of an administrator who also became an employee of the UDA.

Louis Champagne, one of the plaintiffs, was the subject of a harassment complaint filed with the UDA on May 31, 2019, and had to resign on February 4, 2020. Joseph Bellerose and Michel Langevin, two other plaintiffs, resigned on their own on February 13, 2023.

The plaintiffs name an ethical issue concerning the Police Action file, an agency that promotes the employment of real police officers on sets. They estimate that they have suffered serious physical, psychological, moral, and material damages.

Joseph Bellerose is claiming $581,000, Louis Champagne $1,045,800, and Michel Langevin $1,435,900 in damages. The UDA has received the lawsuit and will review it in more detail.

In a separate development, the CNESST ruled in March 2025 that members of the UDA's board were not considered "employees" under the Labour Standards Act. However, this ruling does not affect the civil lawsuit filed by the plaintiffs.

The Administrative Labor Tribunal ruled in November 2024 that the complaints against the UDA by the plaintiffs could not be accepted under the Act respecting the status of the artist. The plaintiffs are now pursuing their case in civil court.

The UDA has not yet made any official statement regarding the allegations. The administrators of the UDA are not explicitly mentioned or protected in the provided search results; there is no clear information about who protects them during this dispute.

This ongoing legal battle highlights the importance of proper governance and respectful conduct in any organisation, particularly those representing artists and creators. The case is expected to continue in the coming months.

Union files multimillion-dollar lawsuit alleging harassment against artists' guild