Canada is a big country with a small population. When comedians here are learning their craft and scaling their personal brand — there's a lot to consider when carving your own path forward.
This post is for Canadian comedians who want a better understanding of the factors uniquely effecting comedians in Canada.
Comedy is one of Canada’s greatest exports. From Jim Carrey to Samantha Bee, Canadians have shaped the global humour landscape. And yet, within our own borders, comedy struggles for recognition—not as entertainment, but as a legitimate, supported art form.
This isn’t about talent; we have plenty. It’s about systems, infrastructure, and a mismatch between comedy’s value and the resources it receives.
Comedy is everywhere, but nowhere. Despite its cultural impact, comedy isn’t federally recognized as an art form in Canada. Comedians can’t access the same funding as musicians or filmmakers. Grants from institutions like the Canada Council for the Arts? Not available.
Meanwhile, organizations like the Canadian Association of Standup, Sketch, and Improv Comedians (CASC) are fighting to change this, advocating for comedy to be treated with the respect and resources it deserves. Until then, comedians face a frustrating reality: their work is celebrated but unsupported. Full disclosure, I currently serve as President on the board of CASC (as of this writing).
Let’s talk logistics. Canada is 2.5 times larger than the United States but has just 1/10th of its population. This vast, sparse geography creates unique challenges for comedians:
- Fewer Venues: Canada has fewer than 100 comedy clubs compared to over 1,000 in the U.S..
- Costly Touring: A cross-country tour in Canada means expensive flights (think $500–$700 for a Toronto-Vancouver round trip) or long drives across endless highways.
- Smaller Audiences: With just 50 cities over 100,000 people, comedians often perform for the same organizations repeatedly rather than touring fresh markets.
In Canada, you don’t “tour” the way Americans do. You find a pocket of gigs, rinse, and repeat.
Comedians used to rely on live audiences. Now, digital platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram are essential tools. But even here, Canadian creators face challenges:
- Bill C-11 (Online Streaming Act): Aims to promote Canadian content on platforms like Netflix, but the benefits primarily target large productions, leaving individual creators behind.
- Bill C-18 (Online News Act): Has reduced the visibility of Canadian content on social platforms like Facebook and Google, making it harder for comedians to reach audiences.
- High Internet Costs: Canada has some of the most expensive internet in the world, creating an additional barrier for digital promotion.
The result? Despite massive global platforms, comedians must work harder—and pay more—to get noticed.
Let’s look at the numbers:
- The median income for Canadian comedians ranges from $20,000 to $50,000 CAD annually, far below that of their U.S. counterparts.
- Corporate gigs often pay $500–$2,000 CAD, much higher than the $50–$150 CAD most comedians earn per club set.
- The average Canadian household spends $2,900 annually on recreation and culture, far less than their American neighbours, impacting ticket sales and audience spending power.
Simply put, Canadian comedians work harder for less. They don’t just tell jokes—they juggle multiple gigs, workshops, and creative side hustles to stay afloat.
For all its challenges, Canadian comedy has untapped potential:
- Regional Circuits: Creating smaller touring routes within provinces or clusters could reduce costs and build sustainable careers.
- Digital First: Platforms like YouTube and TikTok allow comedians to bypass geographic limits, reaching global audiences with minimal expense.
- Cultural Support: Recognizing comedy as an art form would unlock grants, funding, and institutional support to help comedians thrive
Comedy isn’t just entertainment. It’s how we process the world, connect with each other, and make sense of life. Canada has the talent. What we need is the infrastructure to support it—fewer barriers, more opportunities, and a commitment to elevating comedy as the vital art form it is.
If Canada’s funny business isn’t taken seriously, we risk losing more talent to the U.S. Let’s not wait for the next Jim Carrey to leave before we act.
Comedy deserves a place at the table. It’s time to pull up a chair.
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