Press release
Bill 22: One step forward, two steps back
Montréal, June 21, 2007 While pleased by the increased decision-making power granted the City of Montréal in terms of revenue collection, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal strongly deplores the setback for the Montréal agglomeration represented by several of the provisions of Bill 22 as tabled today by Nathalie Normandeau, Minister of Municipal Affairs and the Regions.
In the same bill, the government is sending Montréal two fundamentally contradictory messages. On the one hand, it recognizes the status of the city of Montréal as the province's metropolis by granting it decision-making powers to diversify its revenue sources that are more in line with its major responsibilities. On the other hand, it weakens not to say paralyzes Montréal by imposing an agglomeration governance that promises to be even more tedious than it is now, declared Isabelle Hudon, president and CEO of the Board of Trade.
To ensure the expansion of Montréal, it is high time we created an environment favourable to success. This involves both the means placed at the disposal of the City of Montréal and the attitude of all those concerned with its development, concluded Hudon.
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal has some 7,000 members. Its primary mission is to represent the interests of the business community of the Greater Montreal and to provide individuals, merchants, and local businesses of all sizes with a variety of specialized services to help them achieve their full potential in terms of innovation, productivity and competitiveness. The Board of Trade is Quebec's leading private economic development organization.
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Source:
Sylvie Paquette
Coordinator, Media relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4015
Sylvie.paquette@ccmm.qc.ca