As the Montréal mayoral race enters its final leg, the Chamber surveyed members for their opinion about the main 2017 campaign issues.
Traffic in Montréal is by far the most important electoral issue for the business community. In fact, 80% of respondents chose Montréal traffic from a list of possible issues from which they were to pick the top three. The quality of infrastructure (51%) and sound governance of Montréal (47%) were the next two in order.
Members of the Chamber believe that smooth passenger transportation will have the greatest economic impact on the city in terms of revitalization and urban development (28% of respondents). Providing access to the shores of the river (20%) and building more affordable housing for young families (18%) were next on the list of important issues.
Further in terms of mobility, according to the Montréal business community, the priority for the next mayor of Montréal should be to improve public transit (45%), improve road infrastructures (18%) and reduce traffic (17%).
Knowledge and governance
In terms of innovation, members of the Chamber called for greater cooperation with universities to create a living laboratory of innovation (66%). Promoting the implementation of leading-edge digital infrastructures (55%) and offering universities and research centres better support (34%) followed, in that order.
As for issues of governance, almost two thirds of respondents (64%) would like to reduce the number of elected officials and municipal levels to make Montréal’s municipal administration more efficient.
The survey was compiled the week of October 16. Seven out of ten respondents (70%) live in Montréal and 60% work downtown.