A canceled festival, layoffs and significant debts: the face of Quebec’s flagship of humor, which has sheltered itself from its creditors, risks being transformed.
A face called to transform
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
The face of the Just for Laughs Group as we know it may change. This Quebec flagship of humor, which has sheltered itself from its creditors, owes several tens of millions to its lenders and suppliers, including 15 million to its former manager and founder, Gilbert Rozon. There is no guarantee that the fallen businessman will recover this sum.
Read Julien Arsenault’s article
“It’s another Quebec flagship that we’re letting go”
PHOTO RYAN REMIORZ, THE CANADIAN PRESS
The announcement that the Just for Laughs Group was being placed under the protection of its creditors – as well as the cancellation of the next edition of the festival – provoked various reactions in the world of politics and entertainment.
Read Stéphanie Morin’s article
The elephant in the room
PHOTO PATRICK SANFAÇON, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Gilbert Rozon in court, in 2019
The financial setbacks of the Just for Laughs Group, which has laid off nearly a hundred employees since December and canceled most of its activities on Tuesday – including the next edition of its famous festival – are said to be largely attributable to the pandemic , to the increase in its expenses and to galloping inflation, according to the Quebec company. But let’s not forget the elephant in the room.
Columnist Marc Cassivi
Read Marc Cassivi’s column
“I’m stunned,” says Luce Rozon
PHOTO DAVID BOILY, THE PRESS
Luce Rozon
Joined by The Press Tuesday afternoon, Luce Rozon, the sister of the founder of Just for Laughs, Gilbert Rozon, is saddened by the announcement of the placement under creditor protection by the Just for Laughs Group and the cancellation of the next edition of the Festival .
Read Luc Boulanger’s article
Artists will continue their tour
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Jean-Sébastien Girard
Faced with the decision of Just for Laughs to cancel the summer festival and the presentation of seven shows for financial reasons, artists and their entourage have decided to take matters into their own hands: they will produce the performances already planned themselves or at come.
Read Stéphanie Morin’s article