Press release
Production machinery
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
supports the Quebec coalition for productivity and employment in the matter of placing production machinery under the jurisdiction of the construction industry Montreal, April 8, 2002 - The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal has joined the coalition formed by the Chambre de commerce du Québec, the Alliance of Manufacturers and Exporters Quebec, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and the Conseil du patronat du Québec to oppose the exclusive use of unionized construction contractors for all installation, maintenance, and repair work done on production equipment and machinery.
The decreased competitiveness of Quebec companies leading to their poor performance on export markets, a vital sector of our economy, could result from the enacting of such a decree by the Quebec government. This could have very negative repercussions on the economy of Greater Montreal and the province, declared Guy Fréchette, president of the Board of Trade.
The Board of Trade opposes any extension of the construction monopoly, since it could lead to a crippling increase in costs totalling many hundreds of millions of dollars per year. In addition, greater regulation of the construction industry could also raise costs related to the flexibility of labour organization and the choice, availability, and training of workers.
For the Board of Trade, it is clear that this matter must in no way be allowed to threaten the competitiveness of Quebec either domestically or on export markets, continued Fréchette. We must not restrict the development of companies but work together to establish a climate of confidence promoting, among other things, the integration of a metropolitan vision within our international aspirations and an equitable fiscal and legislative framework two important points outlined in the Board of Trade's policy statement, concluded Fréchette.
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal has more than 7 000 members. Its mission is to be the leading group representing the interests of the Greater Montreal business community. The objectives are to maintain, at all times, relevance to its membership, credibility towards the media and influence towards government and decision-makers.