Press release
Montreal Coalition: almost 90% of Montrealers
decided to support the new City of Montreal
Montreal, June 20, 2004 The Montreal Coalition a group of more than 200 key figures from the business, cultural, academic, social, community, union, and sports sectors are satisfied to learn that, following the referendums held today in 22 Montreal sectors, almost 90 % of Montrealers have chosen de facto the new city of Montreal and chosen to believe in the full potential of the megacity and to look towards the future. " It is imperative to highlight and to acknowledge the fact that only after less than two years of existence of the new city and despite the obstacles that had to be faced , tonight's results are very significant", proudly declared Benoit Labonté, president and CEO, Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.
It is now more important than ever that we work together to rise to the challenges of the XXIst century with modern management and infrastructures, to develop neighbourhoods whose residents are looking to improve their environment, and to raise the metropolis to the remarkable stature granted to it by its artists and major cultural institutions so that we may be in a position to face our true competitors, added Phil O'Brien, societies administrator and special advisor, Telemedia Development Inc.
We now urge Mr. Gérald Tremblay, mayor of Montreal, to make every effort necessary to establish the vision and plan the actions of the new Agglomeration council, which he will preside. This Council has a duty to be strong, because it will be the best means to ensure the coherence of our economic, social, cultural, and environmental development, specified Nancy Neamtan, president and CEO, Chantier de l'économie sociale.
We also call upon the government of Quebec which, since it has not itself developed a specific vision for Montreal reflecting the importance of the development issues facing our cities, must now give the necessary tools and flexibility to the Agglomeration council to enable it to fully play its strategic role. The government must also make very clear to the demergerites' that there is no question of amending Bill 9. We must now roll up our sleeves and work together, looking only toward the future, concluded Labonté.
The Coalition for Montreal is a non-partisan initiative launched by Simon Brault, president, Culture Montréal; Benoit Labonté, president and CEO, Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal; Robert Lacroix, rector, Université de Montréal; Phyllis Lambert, president, Canadian Centre for Architecture; Henri Massé, president, Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec; Nancy Neamtan, president and CEO, Chantier de l'économie sociale; and Philip O'Brien, Societies administrator and special advisor, Telemedia Development Inc.
- 30 -
Source:
Isabelle Hudon
Tel.: (514) 913-0407
www.coalitionmontreal.com