Montréal, April 25, 2016 ‒ The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal welcomes the announcement of the launch of the project to upgrade the Alexandra Pier and to build a new maritime terminal for large cruise ships. In its brief on the maritime strategy published in 2014, the Board of Trade recommended modernizing facilities so that work would be completed before the start of celebrations for Montréal’s 375th anniversary.
“The existing facilities are out of date and do not reflect Montréal’s positioning as a leading international tourist destination,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. “The quality of the project shows the Port of Montreal’s leadership. We also congratulate the Government of Quebec and the Ville de Montréal, who confirmed joint financing of $35 million today. Plus the Port of Montreal’s ability to go ahead in spite of the absence of federal funds for the project demonstrates how financially sound the Port of Montreal is.”
“The proposed new pier will provide a modern architectural signature for the port, which is a tourism gateway for Montréal,” Michel Leblanc said. “The work will improve how cruise passengers are welcomed when they dock at the port, and it will attract the world’s largest maritime tourism lines. The city’s businesses can benefit from a highly lucrative and growing clientele. Today’s announcement, combined with the electric light rail transit project proposed by the Caisse de dépôt last week, confirms – if there was need to do so – that the time is right for investing in the city.”
“The project will showcase a piece of heritage infrastructure that is over 100 years old, one of the objectives for the 375th anniversary celebrations,” Michel Leblanc said. “It will give Montrealers improved access to the port facilities and the river. During the 10th annual edition of its forum on major projects on March 21, the Board of Trade pointed to the importance of having vision in revitalizing our iconic spaces and showed that heritage and economic development can go hand in hand. Today’s announcement demonstrates once again that we all have the potential for creativity and innovation to complete landmark projects that will make Montrealers proud.”
About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of over 7,000 members. Its mission is to be the voice of Montréal’s business community and to promote the city’s prosperity. It is involved in key areas of economic development, advocating a philosophy of action based on engagement, credibility, proactivity, collaboration, and innovation. The Board of Trade also offers a range of specialized services to individuals and to businesses of all sizes to support them in their growth at home and abroad.
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Source:
Guillaume Bérubé
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Phone: 514 871-4000, extension 4042
gberube@ccmm.qc.ca
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