Press release
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
unveils its Montreal Health Report
Montreal , April 29, 2004 The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is pleased to unveil the first edition of its Montreal Health Report, whose purpose is to assess the competitiveness of Greater Montreal by comparing it with 11 other major North American cities and propose areas of action to improve its ranking. The Montreal Health Report also introduces the brand new exploratory index of metropolitan development, referred to as the MACADAM INDEX. This Health Report will be updated each year so as to compare how the city is progressing.
Based on statistical indicators, the perceptions of the Montreal community and the reflection of a panel of experts formed by the Board of Trade, this report on the metropolitan region's competitive position is part of a commitment I had made on behalf of the Board of Trade at the Montreal Symposium 2017: A 375-Year Old city of the World held in spring 2002. On that occasion, I also mentioned that Montrealers had to be creative and ensure cohesive and coherent decision-making in the coming years in order to optimize our city's quality of life, prosperity and competitiveness, stated Benoit Labonté, president and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.
The highlights of the Montreal Health Report reveal, among other things, that a rather pronounced gap exists between the generally positive perception of the Montreal respondents and statistical facts.
A determining factor of a large city's competitiveness, education is a priority at all levels. The competency of the local workforce is a major criterion in any company's decision to locate here or in any decision to invest. In this regard, the most significant variation between the respondents' perception and reality was in the area of education: respondents classified Montreal among the most educated cities whereas in fact, it ranks last among the 12 urban centres examined. This variation is all the more remarkable given that the survey participants identified a high level of education as the most important development factor for their city, continued Benoit Labonté.
When it comes to innovation, Montreal leaders are clearly aware of their city's strength in the high-tech manufacturing industry but definitely overestimate the presence of the new economy in the services sector and view the Montreal economy as more innovative than it actually is.
Montreal is among the most fortunate urban centres in North America when it comes to quality of life, be it in terms of security, social equality, air quality or culture. Moreover, Montreal leaders perceive this situation realistically and they are generally aware of the advantages of their city. Indeed, it is the main asset on which Montreal can rely to attract and retain talent.
Our aim with this Montreal Health Report is to develop a real vision of the future for Montreal and set the stage for effective, united action that leverages the city's dynamic forces, regardless of the milieu or sector of activity. This essential action must revolve around a greater awareness of our strengths, the challenges we have to face, and a clear commitment to reaffirm Montreal 's leadership. This responsibility falls not only on elected officials but also on all the partners in civil society, concluded Benoit Labonté.
The Montreal Health Report is a publication of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. Highlights of the report appear in the second May edition of L'actualité magazine.
The Board of Trade would like to sincerely thank the individuals and organizations who were instrumental in this project: Mario Polèse and Richard Shearmur from the Institut national de recherche scientifique, Urbanisation, Culture et Société (INRS-UCS); Impact Recherche; the Convercité team; the panel of experts as well as the Ministère des Affaires municipales, du Sport et du Loisir, and the Ministère du Développement économique et régional et de la Recherche, which contributed financially to this study.
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 theGreater Montrealregion and, as a contributing and responsible player, to promote the economic development of the urban area. Encompassing three specialized services ( Info entreprises , the Electronic Commerce Institute and World Trade Centre Montréal ) that serve merchants and businesses of all sizes throughout Quebec and Canada , 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
Hyperlink to the Montreal Health Report: http://www.ccmm.qc.ca/HealthReport (PDF, 1Mo)
