Just For Laughs is restructuring its operations in quebec, leading to the closure of the ComediHa! Club in Sainte-Foy by the end of December. The decision follows the sale of the building housing the club and is part of a broader reorganization as the comedy festival navigates a changing entertainment landscape. While the closure marks the end of a venue that has supported emerging talent as 2021, including its launch during the pandemic, Just For Laughs emphasizes a continued commitment to the Quebec City comedy scene and is already exploring collaborations with the newly-opened Le Saint-Jean Comédie Club [2].
Just For Laughs is restructuring its operations in Quebec, leading to the closure of the ComediHa! Club in Sainte-Foy by the end of December. The decision stems from the sale of the Sainte-Foy Pyramid building and the impending expiration of the club’s lease, owned by the Just For Laughs group.
“We have decided not to renew the lease and to conclude the activities of the ComediHa! Club of Sainte-Foy at the end of December,” the organization stated.
Josée Charland, Head of French-Language Programming at Just For Laughs, explained in an interview with Le Soleil that the closure is part of an internal reorganization. The move comes as the comedy landscape continues to evolve, with new venues and platforms emerging.
A Step Back
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“We are in a period of consolidation, in relation to Montreal and Quebec City,” Charland said. “We are taking a step back to return stronger with the Just For Laughs brand.”
The organization described the decision as part of a “positive transition,” allowing them to reassess their approach and focus efforts on “new projects, venues, and distribution models for local humor.”
Charland emphasized that this isn’t a permanent closure. “This doesn’t mean we won’t pursue other avenues. We are already working on other things, but for now, it was a decision to take a step back and better reorganize things.”
Packed Houses
Charland also highlighted the club’s success, stating, “Our rooms were full.” She recalled the bold move of opening the venue during the height of the pandemic, adding that it “has been an important place for emerging talent, discovery, and celebrating laughter in Quebec City” over the years.
Comedian P-A Méthot inaugurated the ComediHa! Club in 2021, expressing his excitement at the time that such a venue was opening in the National Capital Region.
Charland assured that the decision was carefully considered, especially given the club’s role as a springboard for the ComediHa! festival, television productions, and countless performers. However, she reiterated that the real estate situation accelerated the process: “The Pyramid was sold with an approaching deadline. We felt it was time to make a decision.”
Fortunately, There’s Le Saint-Jean
The news comes just weeks after the official opening of Le Saint-Jean Comedie Club, a new space dedicated to comedy in Saint-Jean-Baptiste, Quebec City. Just For Laughs indicated it is already in discussions with the owners to explore potential collaborations in the coming months.
Charland added that the entire group applauded the launch of the new venue in the fall, seeing it as a positive addition rather than competition.
“We want there to be several comedy clubs in Quebec City, of course. The more opportunities they have to perform, the better they will become.”
Just For Laughs remains committed to supporting the entire comedy ecosystem. As Charland explained, “There is a pool of comedians […] who offer quality content and are incredibly effective. […] We need to continue to evolve, create new talent, and provide accessible performance spaces.”
Montreal and Quebec City Simultaneously
The organization reiterated its commitment to developing and showcasing comedic talent through its Just For Laughs Comedy Club tours and other projects “on stage or on other platforms for creation and interaction.”
Despite the closure, Just For Laughs recalls that the ComediHa! Club of Sainte-Foy “has been an important place for emerging talent, discovery, and celebrating laughter in Quebec City” over the years.
Meanwhile, Charland’s team is already working on preparations for the second year post-acquisition of Just For Laughs. The second edition will take place simultaneously in Quebec City and Montreal from July 22 to August 2, 2026.
