Montreal comedian sets up website to connect locals with comedians after comedy festival cancellation

As this year’s Just for Laughs Montreal festival has been cancelled amid financial troubles, one Montreal comedian is making sure the laughs continue.

Elie Gill recently launched her website, www.mtlcomedy.ca, on Friday. The platform is designed to bridge the gap between the public and local comedians.

“I want to put it up so that every comic in Montreal who’s any decent has their profile up, so their credits, their bio, when their shows are going to be,” said Gill.

Earlier this week, Groupe Juste pour rire Inc., the company that operates the festival, said it is seeking protection from its creditors as it begins formal restructuring under Canada’s Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act.

Court documents show the company owes $22.5 million to its creditors.

The company, which held its first Montreal festival 41 years ago, blames the pandemic, inflation and the changing entertainment industry for its financial challenges.

“It’s sad because their festivals and events are not or will not be as attractive as they used to be, not only for locals, but also for international tourists,” said Martin Roy, CEO of Regroupement des événements majeurs internationaux.

Roy says the festival’s struggles stem from the combination of free services and inadequate public funding.

“Everybody knows that in the past couple of years, grants didn’t go up 40 per cent and it’s the same for sponsors. So, it’s just a basic mathematical problem.”

Moshe Lander, an economics professor at Concordia University says the cancellation of the festival will have a short-term impact on the city’s economy.

“It’s a major source of tourism. And so, it spills all the way down from hotels to bars, restaurants. The entire Saint Laurent environment has already suffered from COVID and all kinds of stores and shops have closed up and down the street. This is a major area then that’s going to be affected,” said Lander.

As Gill continues to update the website with the names of local comedians, she hopes people will take a look and help keep the festival’s spirit alive.

“In terms of size in North America, we’re probably around the middle, but for cultural impact, we’re huge,” said Gill.