Landlord dispute / uncontested jugment / credit effect

I have recently lived in Canada while working for my previous employer. Last spring I accepted a new job in the States. I notified my landlord in attempt to negotiate a settlement to break the lease. We were not successful. I asked permission to seek to assign tenancy and was refused. I asked them to put the refusal in writing which they also refused to do. The landlord sued me for informing him of my intention to break the lease. (I was still paying my rent at that time and had not moved out as I intended to settle this prior to my move). I formally asked for permission to assign tenancy in writing and routed the letter as per our lease agreement. After 8 days without a reply I informed them that I would be ending our occupancy in 30 days as per the Ontario Tenants Protection Act (A non- reply after 7 days is considered the same as a refusal).
The suit was filed against me in Ontario Superior Court. I was advised not to contest the suit and move back to the States after 30 days which I did.
The Canadian barrister (the landlord's son-in-law) for the plaintiff has contacted me here in the States and informed me that I need to pay a settlement based on the uncontested judgment against me in Ontario. ($30,000CAD)

I honestly believe that I was acting within the law but now there is a settlement in Canada against me. My wife and I have always had outstanding credit and this issue is deeply concerning to us.

What should I do from this point?
Is my US savings & credit at risk?

Thank you for your time,
Scott