Press release The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal supports
the declaration of the mayors of Canada 's 22 big cities (BC-22)
to support the prosperity of city-regions, provinces, and Canada
Montreal , June 11, 2004 Deeply concerned by the major development and competitiveness issues facing urban centres, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal salutes the coordination effort made by the mayors of Canada 's 22 largest cities during the National Forum on Economic Growth of the Big Cities in Canada , which winds up today.
In today's global context, where big cities play a decisive strategic role in the economic, social, cultural, and environmental development of the regions, Canada must give urban centres the means needed to rise to the challenges of the XXIst century. In this regard, the Board of Trade again stresses the absolute necessity of significantly improving the funding options of large cities. Insofar as urban centres are the economic engines of the country, the various government authorities must recognize this vital role and quickly grant them access to new diversified, predictable, and recurring sources of income, without increasing the burden on taxpayers. Canadian cities contribute directly to generating significant economic activity. It is therefore logical and, above all, imperative that their income be a truer reflection of this contribution, declared Benoit Labonté, president and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.
Following the example of the mayors of Canada's 22 big cities, the Board of Trade reaffirms the importance of developing a true vision of the future of urban centres and mobilizing the key players in the various government levels, companies of all sizes, and civil society to pave the way for coherent, effective action to increase the competitiveness and quality of life of the city-regions, added Labonté.
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 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
Sylvie.paquette@ccmm.qc.ca
Tel.: (514) 871-4000, ext. 4015