Just for Laughs Festival Receives Government of Canada Support

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - July 14, 2011) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, today announced the renewal of the agency's partnership agreement with the Just for Laughs festival. The popular Montréal festival will thus receive $1,400,000 in non-repayable financial assistance over the next two years.

"The Government of Canada is pleased to renew its support of Just for Laughs because of the exceptional international exposure and major economic spinoffs this festival brings to the greater Montréal area," commented Minister Lebel.

Montréal is recognized world-wide for its large-scale cultural events. Every year, the Just for Laughs festival alone draws hundreds of thousands of visitors to the area, generating considerable tourism revenue for the city.

Granted through the Community Diversification program, this financial assistance will serve for the 2011 and 2012 promotion and commercialization of the festival on domestic and foreign markets. This support will allow the cultural event to further consolidate the enviable position it already occupies on the international stage.

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