Montréal, September 25, 2014 – Today, L. Jacques Ménard, Chairman of BMO Nesbitt Burns and President of BMO Financial Group, Quebec, and Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, both spokesmen for I see mtl, enthusiastically launched the open innovation platform that will allow citizens, organizations and businesses to propose concrete actions to create new economic momentum for Greater Montréal.
I see mtl is a movement driven by leaders from every sphere of society who want to help restore confidence and pride in the city and its economy. Created in the wake of the publication of the BMO Financial Group and The Boston Consulting Group report entitled Créer un nouvel élan à Montréal, I see mtl is intended to stimulate concrete, measurable actions to make the metropolitan area more prosperous.
“The platform’s launch is an important milestone in the I see mtl initiative,” L. Jacques Ménard said. “Through this platform, any citizen or organization can become a stakeholder in the economic revitalization of Greater Montréal. Everyone is encouraged to get involved in the movement by proposing actions, commenting on actions submitted via the platform or contributing to seeing them through. We hope to have around 100 actions that will be discussed at a major rallying event on November 17.”
“The proposed actions have to address the challenges raised in the four priorities that emerged from the BMO-BCG report’s recommendations: Talent, Businesses, Environment, and Identity and Aspiration,” Michel Leblanc said. “Projects have to have measurable objectives that project leaders will be accountable for. This unique initiative is being launched at a time when the metropolitan area truly needs it. I encourage everyone to get involved for their city.”
The platform
Two ways to take part
The iseemtl.com platform offers three ways for citizens to be part of the revitalization of the city: by proposing, contributing to or commenting on an action.
The actions proposed must be structuring, measurable projects that can be completed in the short, medium or long term. They should reflect one of the four priorities and contribute to Greater Montréal’s economic revitalization. They should be submitted by a leader, someone prepared to commit to seeing the action through in his or her own name or on behalf of an organization.
By submitting or commenting on an action, participants are eligible to take part in the November 17 event, which will bring together 1,000 people at Place des Arts.
Five steps to a revitalization strategy
1. Submission of actions (until October 31).
2. Comments on and discussions about actions: Montrealers can comment on, share and vote for actions. Everyone is encouraged to participate, no matter what their area of expertise.
3. Selection of actions to be presented at the event by a committee based on selection criteria.
4. I see mtl event: On November 17, leaders are invited to put the finishing touches on their proposals through the contribution of participants in theme-based activities (discussions, workshops, networking, etc.).
5. Implementation and follow-up: Leaders establish a measurable roadmap for their projects. I see mtl will follow up on actions in the years to come.
For details on taking part in I see mtl,visit the “How to take part” section of the platform by clicking here.
Launched by BMO in partnership with the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, I see mtl is a movement driven by leaders from every sphere of society who want to help restore confidence and pride in the city and its economy. On November 17, I see mtl will bring together 1,000 engaged citizens to discuss some 100 structuring, measurable projects headed up by leaders who commit to seeing them through. The ambition is to help restore Greater Montréal’s momentum and bring more prosperity to the region.
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Source:
Michelle LLambias Meunier
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4042
mllambias@ccmm.qc.ca
Valérie Doucet
Director, Media Relations
BMO Financial Group
Tel.: 514 877-8224
valerie.doucet@bmo.com