Cirque du Soleil downplays reports it could be sold

The Cirque du Soleilis downplaying reportsthe Montreal-based circus could be sold.

Rene-ClaudeMnard, senior director of public relations for the circus, told CBC News the company is searching for a "strategic partner."

"This is a very long process and [founder and majority shareholder] GuyLalibertwill take the time necessary to evaluate all availableoptions,"Mnardsaid.

According to a report in the Globe and Mail,bidders have been given until next week to submit offers for a controlling stake in CirqueduSoleilGroup.

The report sparked concern fromQuebec politicians, includingMinister of Economy and InnovationJacques Daoust, who said it's crucial the companyremainin Quebec.

"It is important to keep it, because it is one of our success stories, and I am very proud of the CirqueduSoleil,"Daoust said.

The government will wait and see what happens nextbefore discussing whether it's necessary for it to intervene, the minister said.

The province's pension fund manager the Caisse de dpt refusedto comment on whether it could be a potential investor.