The Winnipeg-based comedy series Less Than Kind stars (left to right) Maury Chaykin, Wendel Meldrum, Benjamin Arthur, Jesse Camacho and Nancy Sorel. (Citytv)

Young People F---ing, the film comedy that was a flashpoint in the debate over federal film sponsorship last year, has won three awards at the Canadian Comedy Awards in Saint John.

It won the awards for best writing (Martin Gero and Aaron Abrams), best directing (Gero) and best performance by a male (Peter Oldring) in a gala at the Imperial Theatre on Friday.

The mild-mannered sex comedy had eight nominations going into the awards.

The film was much talked about in Senate hearings last year as Canadian politicians debated whether a movie with such a provocative title should be allowed to have government funding.

The TV series Less Than Kind and The Jon Dore Television Show were among the multiple winners at the awards show presented by The Comedy Network.

Citytv's Less Than Kind, about a dysfunctional family in Winnipeg, won two trophies. One award was for best performance by an ensemble and the other was for best performance by an actress, for Wendel Meldrum, who plays the pyromaniac mother.

Dore takes gold

Jon Dore won best performance by a male for his Comedy Network series, which was also recognized in the directing category.

Toronto comedian Ron Sparks also took two awards — for best writing and best taped live performance for CTV's Comedy Now.

Best standup honours went to Ottawa native Jeremy Hotz and Toronto's Debra DiGiovanni.

A posthumous award went to the late Joe Bird for best radio clip, for Zen Hokey Pokey from CBC's The Irrelevant Show.

Film star Seth Rogen of Vancouver was named Canadian Comedy Person of the Year.

The Canadian Comedy Festival continues through the weekend in Saint John, with various workshops and shows being held around the city.