The Cavalia group, a Montreal-based company acclaimed for its extravagant equestrian and multimedia productions, has officially filed for bankruptcy. The filing comes as the organization founded by artistic visionary Normand Latourelle faces over $28 million in outstanding debts. 

At the end of April, 2025, Cavalia Inc. and its affiliated entities — Illumi Productions, the Cavalia Creation Centre (Centre de création Cavalia), and PNL Productions Hivernales — submitted notices of insolvency through the trustee firm Raymond Chabot, according to documents obtained by The Canadian Press and filed with Quebec Superior Court. 

Major Creditors and Financial Breakdown 

The group’s most significant creditors include: 

• Caisse Desjardins du Plateau-Mont-Royal, demanding $10.4 million 
• Investissement Québec, owed $4.4 million 
• Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC), owed $3.5 million 
• Canada Economic Development, owed $1.8 million

These debts reflect a heavy financial burden accumulated by the company and its various projects over the years. Creditors’ meetings are scheduled for May 12, during which explanations will be provided for the insolvency of the group’s entities. 

Illumi Project and Site Eviction 

In addition to its internationally acclaimed equestrian shows — Cavalia (2003) and Odysséo (2011) — the group ventured into large-scale light installations with the launch of Illumi in Laval, Quebec in 2019. This immersive multimedia trail, featuring elaborate light structures and thematic zones, attracted widespread attention. 

However, the Illumi experience came to a halt in January 2024, following the non-renewal of its site agreement with the City of Laval. The location, adjacent to Autoroute 15, was reclaimed by the city, which had earlier initiated legal proceedings to compel Cavalia to vacate the premises.

Cavalia founder and artistic director Normand Latourelle. Photo: JF Leblanc 

Latourelle’s Statement and Financial Model 

In a written statement to the Journal de Montréal, which first broke the story, founder Normand Latourelle expressed deep sorrow over the bankruptcy. 

“The broken promises of recent years have hurt us. [...] This is why we are experiencing the current situation, which is taking place against our will, with great sadness,” he said. 

Latourelle emphasized that less than one percent of Cavalia’s revenue came from public subsidies. Instead, he pointed to the company’s reliance on internal funding and “overpriced loans,” which placed unsustainable pressure on its finances. 

With files from CTV News, MSM.com