The Gemini Awards gala, hosted by the CBC's George Stroumboulopoulos, will feature a clutch of Canadian stars from Hollywood including Sarah Chalke of Scrubs, Men In Trees lead James Tupper and Howie Mandel of Deal or No Deal.

A businessman has stepped in and chartered a private jet to bring a group of stars, including Andrea Roth of Rescue Me and Jason Priestley and Kathleen Robertson, who both starred in Beverly Hills 90210, directly from Los Angeles to Regina for the event on Sunday.

The annual awards celebrate the best in Canadian English-language television.

Stroumboulopoulos, who hosts The Hour on CBC-TV, says this year's Geminis will be unique. The 34-year-old host has brought his Hour team on as producers of the one-hour show.

For the first time, viewers can vote online for their favourite Canadian on a TV series who is not eligible for a Gemini.

There are 22 actors up for the inaugural Viewers' Choice Award including Mandel, Keifer Sutherland of 24, Lost's Evangeline Lilly, Sandra Oh from Grey's Anatomy, Boston Legal's William Shatner and Kristine Kreuk from Smallville and Sarah Chalke from Scrubs.

The 22nd Annual Gemini Awards will be the first live show open to a public audience. Previously, awards shows were only attended by industry insiders.

And, this will mark the second year in which the show will be held outside of Toronto. The show was held in Vancouver last year.

The audience can expect "tons of star power, great comedy and definitely a few surprises," said CBC producer Steve Sloan.

Many awards, in terms of costume, makeup, news and production, were already handed out prior to Sunday night.

The Regina gala will give out trophies for drama, comedy, acting, feature documentary and top news anchor.

The Gemini Awards will be broadcast at 8 p.m. on CBC Television tonight!