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Singer Jérémy Gabriel says he is pleased with a decision from Quebec’s human rights tribunal ordering comedian Mike Ward to pay him $35,000 over what it called discriminatory remarks based on his disability.

Gabriel told reporters Thursday the jokes affected him psychologically, and affected his social and artistic life.

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“The other comedians and especially Ward do not really understand that it is a false debate on the freedom of expression,” Gabriel said. “There is no debate on the freedom of expression. There was a lack of judgement in his jokes”

Wardwas ordered to pay a total of $42,000 to Gabriel and his mother, Sylvie Gabriel, in moral and punitive damages.

The tribunal Tribunal ruled Wednesday that the comedian had violated Gabriel’s right to equality by making discriminatory remarks based on his disability during a show presented 230 times from 2010 to 2013.

Gabriel, who suffers from Treacher Collins Syndrome, is known for singing before the pope and Céline Dion, among other things.