Over $84 million in economic impact - Juste pour rire: astounding wealth creation for Quebec

MONTREAL, Nov. 16, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Groupe Juste pour rire is proud to announce that its combined activities in Quebec create $84.4 million in value added to Quebec's GDP. Indeed, Juste pour rire mandated KPMG last July to conduct an economic impact study which confirms with precise figures the significance of the Group's activities for Quebec's economy.

All of the Group's activities in Quebec, which include the Festivals as well as production and distribution activities, create the equivalent of 1,411 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs, and bring in more than $12 million to provincial and federal governments in the form of fiscal revenues.

The methodology used, a restrictive approach prescribed by the Quebec Ministry of Tourism, also demonstrates that the Montreal Festival Juste pour rire/Just for Laughs Festival alone generates nearly $34 million in added value to GDP. The Festival generates 542 FTE jobs and yields nearly $6 million to governments in the form of fiscal revenue. This confirms the Montreal Festival Juste pour rire/Just For Laughs as one of the three most powerful economic engines of Quebec's event industry.

These quantitative impacts need to be considered together with countless qualitative impacts resulting from the activities of Groupe Juste pour rire. These include the creation of specialized expertise and of a skilled workforce; an essential contribution to the vitality of the performing arts industry, television and digital production; the promotion of cultural diversity and bilingualism; the creation of opportunities for a first job or internship; the promotion of emerging art forms; the artistic awakening among young people; and social and philanthropic involvement with causes such as homelessness, childhood and youth.

The Juste pour rire team is excited for 2018 and is already at work with its sponsors, partners and talent to produce an exceptional festival next summer, from July 14^th to 28^th 2017.

SOURCE Groupe Juste pour rire

Jean-David Pelletier, Media relations, [phone]