Close to 400 participants gathered virtually for the strategic meeting “Inclusive Revitalization: Present and Future of Chinatown,” which was held May 31 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal. The event was a space for conversation and mobilization among actors in the community of Chinatown and the business world to identify possible efforts to restore the vitality of this iconic sector of the city once we emerge from the pandemic. Overview of discussions.
"Chinatown is part of our identity. It is important that we be aware of this as a business community and that we determine the action we can take to restore its vitality, through an inclusive relaunch based on solidarity." – Michel Leblanc, President and CEO, Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal
"We love Chinatown; it’s important to Montrealers and Quebecers. […] It is a heritage treasure with a history we must protect." – Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montréal and Chair of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal
"Chinatown is a major tourist attraction for Montréal, but Chinatown is also a place to do business, with merchants and entrepreneurs, and a living environment for downtown residents; its economic, social, and historical contribution is undeniable." – Chantal Rouleau, Minister Responsible for the Metropolis and the Montréal Region
"People have to feel safe when we talk about a relaunch. I would like to underscore the citizen involvement in support of this neighbourhood they care about. I encourage the public to support its merchants and the relaunch." – Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Heritage, Government of Canada
Chinatown: at the heart of a human and inclusive revitalization
"Chinatown is part of the vitality of Montréal, and it is important to take care of it. We need to reposition and reinvent Chinatown together. It is entirely possible to bring together tradition and heritage protection with revitalization and investment." – Eric Prud’homme, General Manager, Desjardins Business – West of Montréal
"Chinatown is a souvenir album. I want it to live on. I hope that its heritage will be preserved, tradition to tradition and generation to generation." – Ponora Ang, Partner and Co-Leader of the China National Group, Fasken and President of the Montréal Chinese Hospital Foundation
"My wish is that Chinatown be recognized, restored, promoted, that it be a full living environment, inhabited, a place of memory, narrative, and welcoming and a place for reconciliation and reparation to recognize wrongs done and prejudice. My priority, our priority, is to take care of it." – Jonathan Cha, doctor in spatial planning and urbanism, urbanologist, landscape architect, AAPQ-CSLA and expert in the heritage of Chinatown
Chinatown: a strategic asset for our downtown
"We are going to work on the relaunch. We are going to continue our work for a sustainable Chinatown. We will emerge from this crisis if we work as a team." – Eva Hu, owner of the Le Coq Frit banner and co-founder of the Asian Night Market and Asian Market
"What we want in the Quartier des spectacles is for what was created during this time of crisis to become something positive and permanent. We want dialogue and collaboration to continue through the years." – Monique Simard, Chair of the Board of Directors, Quartier des spectacles Partnership
"By optimizing and leveraging our strong points we will position Chinatown in the tourism offer. […] We have to build a distinctive signature event that will win over minds and generate pride in Montrealers." – Robert Beaudry, City Councillor –Saint-Jacques District, Executive Committee member, Ville de Montréal
"I am filled with hope and optimism. […] What I see is that Chinatown is a major pillar of our community, social, and economic life. For all of Montréal and for Quebecers, it contributes to the economy and to economic vitality." – Cathy Wong, responsible for diversity, employment inclusion, the French language and the fight against racism and discrimination, Executive Committee member, Ville de Montréal
"What I retain is the need to work together. […] When we organize, we can generate movement in politics and the private sector, and we can find solutions." – Michel Leblanc, President and CEO, Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal
The strategic meeting is available on the Chamber’s YouTube channel.
About the strategic meeting “Inclusive Relaunch: Present and Future of Chinatown”
The strategic meeting “Inclusive Relaunch: Present and Future of Chinatown” was jointly developed by the Chamber and the Ville de Montréal, presented by Desjardins, in collaboration with Bell, Birks Group Inc., OXO Translation, the Palais des congrès de Montréal, Power Corporation of Canada and Sun Life and with the financial participation of the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration
. The event is part of the Relaunch MTL metropolitan economic movement.