Press release
Federal elections: the Board of Trade awaits clear commitments
for Montréal
Montréal, April 14, 2011 – After the leaders’ debates that marked the midpoint in the federal election campaign, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal would like to restate what it considers to be priority issues for the economic development of the Montréal area.
“Montreal is largest city in Quebec and the second largest in Canada,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade. “This is why we are inviting the federal parties to make concrete commitments to stimulate its economic development. The Montréal business community would like to remind the leaders that a number of projects and strategic issues require the commitment and support of the federal government.”
The Board of Trade is asking for clear commitments from the federal parties on the five major areas it has identified:
- The construction of a new Champlain Bridge. The business community, the municipal milieu and Quebec’s Minister of Transport are asking for a firm commitment about building a new bridge.
- The federal portion of financing for the shuttle between Montréal-Trudeau Airport and downtown. Everything is in place for this project: the studies have been conducted, the route has been chosen by the Government of Quebec and the private partners have announced their intention to finance their share.
- The second phase of investment to develop the Old Port. The Old Port of Montréal is the most popular tourist attraction in Quebec. The revitalization done for Montréal’s 350th anniversary had a base-building effect on the sector, and the second phase is ready to go ahead.
- Funding university research. The underfunding of the institutional cost of research remains a source of concern. The annual shortfall for Quebec universities was around $90 million in 2007-2008.
- Abandoning centralizing regulation under a single securities commission. We ask that this initiative be dropped, which is now opposed by a majority of provinces representing more than 50% of the Canadian population (Quebec, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick).
“These are priority issues for the economic development of Montréal,” Mr. Leblanc said. “And if you consider Montréal’s importance for the economies of Quebec and Canada, we believe that they should also be priorities for the leaders of the federal parties.”
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 Greater Montréal and to provide individuals, merchants, and 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
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4015
sylvie.paquette@ccmm.qc.ca