BUSINESS

Opposition parties want Cirque du soleil to remain in Quebec hands

The Canadian Press Published Wednesday, March 25, 2015 5:42PM EDT

The final fight scene is performed on a vertical stage during Cirque du Soleil's 'Ka' at MGM Grand Resort in Las Vegas, on Nov. 28, 2008. (Las Vegas Sun, Leila Navidi)

Text:

QUEBEC -- Opposition parties in Quebec urged the Liberal government on Wednesday to find local investors to keep the Cirque du soleil in the province.

The Globe and Mail reported that bidders have been given until next week to submit offers to purchase founder Guy Laliberte's controlling stake in the Cirque.

The newspaper cited sources as saying Laliberte has agreed to sell all but 10 per cent of his share.

Laliberte owns 90 per cent of the internationally renowned Cirque, with the rest controlled by investors in Dubai.

Francois Legault, leader of the Coalition for Quebec's Future, said Premier Philippe Couillard cannot afford to lose a head office that employs 1,400 people in Montreal and that all Quebecers would be disappointed if the Cirque ended up in foreign hands.

Parti Quebecois leadership candidate Pierre Peladeau believes the provincial pension-fund manager could rustle up investors to purchase the majority share in the Cirque.

Economy Minister Jacques Daoust countered that the government's leeway to intervene is limited although it could lobby after any transaction to have the head office stay in Quebec.