$1,000,000 to Just For Laughs Festival Provided by Harper Governement

MONTREAL - Stephen Harper's government has provided funding of $1,000,000 to the Montreal 2009 Just for Laughs Festival. The 27th Festival will take place from July 3 to 26, 2009.

Funding is provided through the Arts Presentation Canada Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

"Our Government recognizes the primary importance of creativity and cultural innovation, not only for the vitality of our culture, but also for the growth of our economy," said James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages. "This is why we are proud to support the Just for Laughs Festival, which attracts thousands of visitors each year and bring significant economic benefits, while enriching Montreal's cultural tapestry."

"The Just for Laughs Festival is well known throughout Canada and around the world," added Moore. "As the Festival grows and its comedians tour, it will continue to be a universally recognized symbol of Montreal's joie de vivre."

Before making this announcement, Moore met with Gilbert Rozon, founder of the Festival, to discuss the organization's future projects.

"Just for Laughs is so much more than just a festival. It's the life of a city, the branding of Montreal, and creativity from both home and abroad," said Rozon. "It also represents cultural tourism and a major economic impact for the government."

Each year, the Just for Laughs Festival offers a program of indoor and outdoor activities that features almost 1000 performances in comedy and other disciplines, including theatre, dance, street arts, and visual arts presented by more than 800 artists from Canada and abroad.

About 750 of the shows will be offered free of charge. Various activities that target groups like underprivileged youth, businesses, and members of ethnocultural communities will take place throughout the streets of the city's downtown core and at the Festival's different sites.

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