The announcement that the Just for Laughs Group has been placed under creditor protection – as well as the cancellation of the next festival – has provoked several reactions in the world of business, politics and entertainment.
The mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, reacted on the X network. “It is with regret that I learned of the decision of the Juste Pour Rire Group. I would like to salute the work and dedication of all the employees, who contribute enormously to the influence of humor and of Montreal. »
“We will miss the Just For Laughs Festival this summer. It is a flagship event on the Montreal cultural scene and in the summer programming of the Quartier des spectacles. Hopefully, the group’s restructuring activities will allow it to make a comeback. »
“Humor is an integral part of our culture and we will continue to support it. I asked the City of Montreal teams to contact the organization to assess the planned follow-up. »
Erika Alneus, responsible for Culture at the City of Montreal, also commented on the situation in a message sent to The Press : “It is with regret that we learned of the decision of the Just for Laughs Group, whose festival plays a central role in Montreal’s reputation and summer programming. Humor is a distinctive element of the Montreal cultural scene and we hope that the group’s restructuring efforts will allow it to continue to offer Montreal programming. »
“The City of Montreal is proud to have supported the Just for Laughs Festival and we will quickly contact the organization to assess the planned follow-up. We salute the work and dedication of all the employees affected, who have greatly contributed to the influence of humor and the city. »
Several shows were canceled in the wake of this announcement, notably the comedy show by Jean-Sébastien Girard and the musical Waitress. Martin Béliveau, agent of Jean-Sébastien Girard and Julie Ringuette (who was to play one of the main roles in the musical Waitress), indicated to The Press : “There were only four performances left of the show A boy like no other by Jean-Sébastien Girard. We were preparing a TV broadcast with Radio-Canada on March 15. Jean-Sébastien planned to end the tour by giving a “farewell show,” with special guests, at the Just for Laughs Festival next summer. »
“We heard the news this morning like everyone else. We felt that something was happening, since the publication of the article Duty on the restructuring of Just for Laughs, but not to this extent! We take the blow and will ask questions for the future. Hoping that the artists’ contracts will be respected…”