Canadian comedy festival in sleaze row

The Montreal Comedy Festival has become embroiled in a political row in Canada.

Ministers have defended their decision to increase funding for the Just For Laughs event, just as the festival hired a long-time friend of Prime Minister Jean Chretien.

Heritage Minister Sheila Copps insists the two events are not linked.

Her department tripled its grant by $100,000 (€72,000) last year, the same year as the PM's former aide Jean Carle was hired as a festival vice-president.

But Copps, who said the government was spending more on cultural events across the board, insisted: "This funding was given even before he ever came to the board."

However, Opposition MP Cheryl Gallant asked in the Commons: "How much are Canadian taxpayers going to have to shell out to keep the Prime Minister's friends quiet?"

Copps approved the extra Just For Laughs cash last November, according to reports.

Festival spokesman Michele Bazin also denied any link between Carle's hiring and the festival's pursuit of federal funds.

He said "If, in 2001, we received more money than the year before, it's simply because we submitted more projects.

"We must not forget that the share of tobacco sponsorship is no longer available and has only been partly replaced by the Quebec government".