Cirque du Soleil laid off around a hundred employees on Tuesday, Le Journal learned, bringing to more than 600 the number of positions eliminated in two years, despite Catalyst’s commitment in 2020 to maintain the headquarters in Montreal for five years.
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“For the head office in Montreal, we are talking about a total of around 70 positions eliminated. That said, there were already several vacant positions, so fewer people are assigned to Montreal,” confirms Journal Tuesday, Cirque du Soleil spokesperson Marc-Étienne Nolin.
“We remain optimistic about the future and confident that our teams are well positioned to ensure the continuity and success of the business,” he added.
The company did not provide more details on the nature of these new layoffs, which strike the heart of the company in the Saint-Michel district.
It is said that “these organizational changes are part of a global approach” and that creation and production are managed from the Montreal head office of nearly 1,000 employees.
Stingy with comments
Table of Contents
Tuesday, Cirque employees approached by The Journal were stingy with comments. Some knew the news. Others still didn’t know it.
Several mentioned the political situation in the Middle East which could have slowed down the enthusiasm of the Quebec entertainment company.
In mid-February, The Journal reported that the new CEO, Mark Cornell, had just announced the departure of two members of the Montreal company’s management team.
“I am currently rethinking the entire structure and functioning of our company,” wrote the big British boss of Cirque in an internal message that we had obtained.
Mark Cornell is a businessman and decorated former British Army officer, who received several medals for his service.
He speaks French because he studied in Switzerland, the company assured when announcing his arrival last November.
Mark Cornell, CEO of Cirque du Soleil
Photo LinkedIn
No more “creative guide”
Mark Cornell recently abolished the position of “creative guide”, occupied successively by Guy Laliberté, Jean‐François Bouchard and, since 2022, Michel Laprise.
The manager also eliminated the position of head of revenue, occupied by Anne Belliveau, and that of head of entertainment operations, assumed by Duncan Fisher.
Francis Halin’s photo
Cirque du Soleil
Fondation : 1984
Founders: Gilles Sainte-Croix, Daniel Gauthier and Guy Laliberté
Timeline
Avril 2015 : A consortium made up of the American TPG Capital (60%) and the Chinese Fosun (20%) bought the Cirque. The Caisse de dépôt and Guy Laliberté retain 10% each
February 2020: The Caisse buys the 10% of the Cirque which still belonged to Guy Laliberté, a transaction valued at more than $100 million
Mars 2020 : In the midst of a pandemic, the circus canceled all its shows around the world and laid off 95% of its 4,679 employees. Around 3,500 are licensed
May 2020: Quebec grants US$200 million (CA$276 million) to shareholders (including TPG, Fosun and CDPQ) to help relaunch Cirque
June 2020: The Circus receives six offers from interested buyers; then protects itself from its creditors. Its debts are estimated at US$1.57 billion
July 2020: Almost all of the Cirque’s 4,600 employees are made unemployed; around 3,500 are dismissed quickly thereafter.
August 2020: A dozen secured creditors, led by the Toronto company Catalyst Capital Group (with Sound Point Capital, CBAM Partners and Benefit Street Partner) managed to buy the Cirque.
They promise to inject US$375M into the revival of the circus and to leave the circus headquarters in Montreal for a period of 5 years.
Avril 2025 : Daniel Lamarre is named interim CEO.
October 2025: In an interview with LCN, Daniel Lamarre rejects the idea that Cirque is leaving the metropolis
November 2025: Mark Cornell is appointed CEO, replacing Daniel Lamarre.
February 2026: Departure of two members of management and the head of creation, Michel Laprise.
Mars 2026 : Layoff of around a hundred employees, including 70 at the Montreal head office.
