Press release
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal welcomes
the announced construction of the Chabanel commuter train station
Montreal, April 4, 2006 The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal welcomes this morning's announcement regarding the construction of the Chabanel commuter train station. This important investment will help to revitalize the Cité de la Mode, a district and a sector that have been severely tested in the last few years by strong competition from Asian economies and the recent elimination of import quotas for clothing and textiles.
This is excellent news for Montreal. The fashion sector is a major employer in the metropolis, counting almost 1,000 companies and some 35,000 employees. The construction of a station in the Chabanel district, home to many key industry players, will increase the mobility of workers, thereby supporting a sector facing strong international competition and promoting the competitiveness of this economic pole, declared Isabelle Hudon, president and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.
The construction of the Chabanel commuter train station will enable the metropolis not only to strengthen its clothing and textile cluster but also to consolidate its position as the second-largest clothing manufacturing centre in North America and support certain industry leaders that have chosen to locate in Montreal, including Point Zero, which is currently expanding its head office in this district. We also hope this decision will encourage other players, such as Parasuco, flagship of Quebec fashion, to remain in the metropolis and carry out their business plans here, added Hudon.
In addition, there is no doubt the construction of the Chabanel train station is good news for the sustainable development of Montreal. The greater accessibility it will give the Cité de la Mode will complement other efforts in the metropolitan area to improve public transit, concluded Hudon.
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal has some 7,000 members. Its mission is to represent the interests of the business community of 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 the largest private organization in Quebec dedicated to economic development.
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Source:
Sylvie Paquette
Coordinator, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: (514) 871-4000, ext. 4015
sylvie.paquette@ccmm.qc.ca