Could a new comedy festival threaten Just for Laughs?

A group of about 50 influential Quebec comedians has banded together to create an independentcomedy festival, in response to the controversy surrounding sexual assault allegations against Gilbert Rozon.

The group says the non-profit Festival du rire de Montralwill be"much simpler" than Just For Laughs, the annual comedy jamboree founded by Rozonthat takes over Montreal every July.

Quebec comedian Martin Petit, one of the promoters of the event, told Radio-Canada the new festival will run under a co-operative management structure

"It's a movement that people have asked us for on social media," Petit said. "Dozens of people were telling me on my Facebook: 'Organize yourselves, have a festival. We'll come watch that.'"

'A direct response'

About 50 comedians from across the province have signed on to participate next summer, at a location that's still to be determined.

"TheFestival durire de Montral's creation is a direct response to the scandal that recently struck Quebec," Petit said in a statement.

He said the group sees its project as a concrete, positive step forward, one that focuses on change, while still making Quebecers laugh.

Just For Laughs calls new festival 'unfortunate'

Rozonannounced last monththat he would sell his shares in the festival, amid allegations he sexually harassed or sexually assaulted 10 women.

• Just For Laughs restructures after GilbertRozonaccused of sexual assault

In a statement released Tuesday afternoon, Just For Laughs said a new owner would be announced soon.

The statement said the festival will go ahead as planned next summer.

"Our partners have committed to support us as we move forward to plan the best year yet," the statement read.

"It was unfortunate to learn that some Quebec artists have chosen to create their own event. That being said, they have a right to create a new platform for their art," it continued.

Battle for cash?

RalBland, another Quebec comic involved in organizing the new festival, told Radio-Canada that the new festival hopes to attract the government funding that currently goes to Just For Laughs.

"We have to put themoney in the right place, and we have to make sure that bad behaviour doesn't happen,"Blandsaid.

A spokesperson for federal Heritage MinisterMlanieJolysaid in a statement Tuesday thatJolywelcomes the new festival and would meet with organizers next week.

Just For Laughs is a private conglomerate made up of several companies with a number of international projects.

The comedy festival that takes place every summer in Montreal billed as the world's largest is affiliated with the organization but run by a not-for-profit company that depends largely on government funding

According to government documents, Just For Laughs receivedabout $4.5 million a year in funding from all three levels of government in 2016.

Two weeks ago, Quebec Tourism Minister Julie BouletsaidJust for Laughs was an important engineof tourism, but she said continued provincial funding was by no means guaranteed.

"Depending on how things play out and how the organization emerges from this, we will see how the government contributes," Boulet said.

Comedians soul-searching

Mike Patterson isa Montreal comedian who's performed dozens of timesin both French and Englishat Just For Laughs.

He told CBCthe allegations against Rozonwere "terrible,"and have put comedians like him in a difficult position.

"All of a sudden we have to not like Just For Laughs? I love Just For Laughs," Patterson said.

He said comedians in Quebec are all talking on Facebook about what to do about the two festivals now seemingly at odds with each other.

"Just For Laughs pays comedians a lot of money to work.I'm not necessarily as rich as Martin Petit.But also Martin Petit is a giant leader in our community, and we should all follow what he does," Patterson said.

Derek Sguin, another Montreal comedian who performs in both languages, told CBCthe Rozon scandal has "tarnished"comedy in the province.

He hopes there's room for both festivals.

"For me, a new festival run by comedians for comedians to make comedy fans happy and make comedy accessible it's a good thing," Sguin said.

"But the idea of killinga 35-year, world-renowned brand because of one person's transgression seems a little rash to me."