Canada Government Contributes $1.2 Million to 2024 Comedy! Hello Montréal Comedy Festival –

Saturday, July 27, 2024

Reading Time: 3 minutes

The Quartier des spectacles de Montréal is set to be the vibrant backdrop for the ComediHa! Comedy Festival this summer, celebrating its 25th anniversary in grand style.

In a recent announcement, the Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED), along with the Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage, revealed significant funding from the Government of Canada to support the Festival International du Rire ComediHa! and its special event in Montréal: ComediHa! Hello Montréal.

The CED has generously provided a $600,000 non-repayable contribution through its Quebec Economic Development Program (QEDP) to ensure the festival’s success in Montréal.

Moreover, the Department of Canadian Heritage has committed $600,000 for the 2024-2025 fiscal year under the Canada Arts Presentation Fund. This substantial support will enable the comedy festival to run from July 18 to 28, 2024, offering a mix of free outdoor activities and paid performances in various venues. The festival will animate the Place des Festivals and several nearby halls, creating a lively and entertaining atmosphere for the community.

This funding will help bring an array of comedic talent to Montréal, providing both residents and visitors with unforgettable performances and enriching the cultural landscape of the city. The festival’s diverse programming aims to cater to all tastes, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy during this highly anticipated event.

“Montréal is recognized as a comedy hub that each year attracts millions of tourists from around the world. That is why I am proud that our government is supporting the ComediHa! hello Montréal comedy event, which will help the metropolis maintain its important position in this industry. I salute the work done by the entire team to organize this impressive program.”

– The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for CED

“Every summer, Montréal comes alive with festivals. Fostering events such as ComediHa! Enables us to come together, laugh, and share precious moments together. This festival brings happiness to Montréalers and visitors. The financial support in partnership with different levels of government makes it possible to celebrate the creativity and joie de vivre that characterize our city.”

– The esteemed Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage

Quick Facts

Founded in 1997, ComediHa! has established itself as a significant force in the live performance, festival, film, television, and distribution sectors. The organization boasts a dedicated team of over 100 full-time employees and nearly 4000 temporary staff across Québec, Montréal, Paris, and Hollywood, all working tirelessly to spread laughter worldwide.

The Canada Arts Presentation Fund plays a crucial role in supporting the arts by providing financial assistance to organizations that professionally present arts festivals or performing arts series. This fund also extends its support to organizations that offer aid to arts presenters, ensuring a vibrant and diverse cultural landscape.

The Quebec Economic Development Program (QEDP), managed by CED, is designed to help communities capitalize on economic development and diversification opportunities. By doing so, the program aims to foster promising future growth and enhance the economic vitality of various regions.

ComediHa!’s impact is not limited to just entertainment; it significantly contributes to the cultural and economic fabric of the regions it operates in. Through its various initiatives and productions, it creates numerous job opportunities and supports local economies while enriching the cultural experiences of audiences globally.

Overall, the collaboration of organizations like ComediHa!, supported by the Canada Arts Presentation Fund and the QEDP, exemplifies the powerful synergy between cultural enrichment and economic development, ultimately benefiting communities and audiences alike.