Mr. Mike Calnek reports

SIRIUSXM WANTS CANADA TO PICK THE COUNTRY'S FUNNIEST COMICS; LAST CHANCE FOR CANADIANS TO CHOOSE THE FINALISTS OUT OF 24 COMICS ACROSS THE COUNTRY; VOTERS GET A CHANCE TO WIN A TRIP TO THE FINALE AT JUST FOR LAUGHS' JFL42 IN TORONTO

Voting for Sirius XM Canada Holdings Inc.'s fifth annual Top Comic competition is in its final week, ending at 5 p.m. EDT on Aug. 1.

This spring, Sirius XM went coast to coast to audition the country's best comedic talent. Twelve stand-up comics in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Hamilton, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and St. John's were chosen to perform; three semi-finalists in each market were selected to be included in on-line voting at the Sirius XM website.

Now, with less than a week left to vote, fans have one more chance to get their favourite comic to the finale. Canadians can vote for one comedian in each city every day until Aug. 1 at the Sirius XM website.

The funniest comics from each city, determined by the number of votes received, will be invited to perform at the Sirius XM Top Comic Finale on Sept. 25, part of the Just For Laughs JFL42 Festival in Toronto. One comedian will be crowned the winner, taking home the grand prize of $15,000.

"The comics we've seen on this tour are unbelievable, and this year's competition has been the toughest to judge based on the level of talent involved," said Ben Miner, Canadian comic and host of Sirius XM's Canada Laughs channel. "Canada is so rich with killer comedians, and I love that we are doing something that celebrates, supports and keeps talent in the country."

Voters will also be entered to win a trip for two to join the comedians, celebrity judges and special guests at the Top Comic Finale at JFL42 in Toronto.

How it works

Semi-finals:  Over three weeks, Canadians are invited to vote on-line for their favourite comic in each city. Eight finalists will be selected based on the number of votes received. Each of the eight finalists will perform live at the finale on Sept. 25, with travel and accommodation provided by Sirius XM.

Winner:  A panel of judges made up of comedy insiders and personalities will select one winner from the eight finalists to crown as Sirius XM's Top Comic, who will take home $15,000 to support their comedic career development.

Semi-finalists

Vancouver:  Sunee Dhaliwhal, Darcy Michael and Alex Sparling

Edmonton:  Brittany Lyseng, Kevin McGrath and Dan Taylor

Winnipeg:  Dan Glasswick, Chantel Marostica and Ben Walker

Hamilton:  Bryan Hatt, Tom O'Donnell and Danny Polishchuk

Toronto:  Pat Thornton, Jon Steinberg and K. Trevor Wilson

Ottawa:  Jimmy Cassidy, Adrian Cronk and Trixx

Montreal:  Faisal Butt, Joey Elias and Heidi Foss

St. John's:  Steve Coombs, Nicole Downton and Matt Wright

Top Comic is part of Sirius XM Canada's continuing initiatives to provide exposure to and support Canadian talent. Previous winners of Sirius XM's Top Comic contest include Pete Zedlacher, Eric Andrews, Matt O'Brien and Brian Stollery.

To vote now, visit the Sirius XM website.