Entry to France and Madagascar with Criminal Charge, from Canada

I have no actual expertise in this area. (That was my disclaimer). Common sense seems to point that without a conviction there is no criminal record. I do think that your biggest concern might be getting permission from the court for him to leave Canada. Have you applied for this?

Hi lawyer said that he is able to travel.

Perhaps ask his defense attorney if he is permitted to travel. Did he have to post bail? If so what conditions were imposed

Without a conviction it would seem there is no 'record' to report to anyone.

Kind of surprised his passport was not confiscated by the court.

EDIT-- was typing this when OP answered a key question

He did not have to post bail or give up his passport. And no conditions were imposed.
However he tried to go on an Alaskan cruise last month and was refused entry by US customs officers so we are a bit worried about France and Madagascar.
My husband is French and told me that I was being silly to worry about it as he says that the EU mostly shares information with Interpol, not North America

If US Immigration refused him entry, it seems my earlier conjecture about there being nothing to 'report' may be in error.

Was he told why admission was refused?

Being turned away at the US- Canada border is not the catastrophe that it would be to be turned away at either of your destinations.
I suggest you contact the embassy/consulate of France and Madagascar and get answers before you are there.

You are asking for legal advice on a travel forum. Whatever anyone says here is not binding on the authorities of Canada, France, or Madagascar. So, unfortunately, the answers you get here don't really matter - it's not up to us. All you can do is check with the relevant authorities, and even then, admission is always at the discretion of the immigration agent on duty.

A technical point: it's immigration, not customs, he has to worry about. Customs is about goods, immigration is about people. While in North America these terms are used interchangeably, in other places they use them correctly, and you wouldn't want to get the wrong information (e.g, be told beforehand that he won't have any issues at customs, but then he gets stopped at immigration).

Most security services, especially as it comes to the USA, Canada, Western Europe and others, trade information on individuals constantly. Given the global world we live in as it applies to terrorism, human trafficking, sexual exploitation, drugs etc., that is the way it is. Your son's charge, which guilt or innocence is yet to be determined, probably does show up on various databases. His lawyer said he could travel which he can as the court did not impose a travel ban, but his lawyer is not dealing with immigration and customs service in France etc. They work under their own rules. You will know real quick if he is allowed to board the flight to Paris. If the airline let's him on and he is denied entry into France, they have get him back to Canada at their expense. That is why on most international flights you board early and sit while they file the necessary paperwork and get clearance. The French Embassy may be of some help, but ultimately it is the specific immigration officer. Good luck.