Canadian funnyman Russell Peters is to host the Gemini Awards in Toronto on Sept. 7 at the CBC Broadcast Centre in Toronto.

That date comes ahead of the homegrown comic and actor on Sept. 10 crossing the street to Roy Thomson Hall to launch Breakaway, a hockey drama set in an Indo-Canadian community, at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Peters, a Gemini award winner, previously hosted the Juno Awards in 2008.

And Canada’s Comedy Network is to produce a Christmas special hosted by Peters, to include stand-up, sketch, animation and musical performances by international and Canadian performers.

The ACCT also revealed the hosts of the Aug. 30 and 31 Gemini Industry Galas, which will feature comedian Steve Patterson and the CBC’s Jian Ghomeshi, respectively. Both Gemini Industry Galas will be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.