Press release
Quebec small businesses head to Toronto to meet main stakeholders in the largest revitalization project in North America
Montréal, December 2, 2010 – The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and its team of international trade experts, in partnership with the Bureau du Québec à Toronto and the Ministère du Développement économique, de l’Innovation et de l’Exportation, are proud to have accompanied Quebec companies to the capital of Ontario on November 30 to meet the main stakeholders in the revitalization project for Toronto’s waterfront.
The businesses that took part in this trade mission sell a variety of products known for their innovation: lighting and visual design services, contaminated soil treatment processes, metal structures, high-quality solid wood doors, aluminum docks and footbridges, environmentally friendly bioethanol fireplaces and marine equipment rental services.
“It’s important for the Board of Trade to help Quebec small businesses with their market development efforts outside the province,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade. “The revitalization project on Toronto’s shoreline is currently the largest of its kind in North America. An investment of between $27 billion and $34 billion over 25 years will be needed to give citizens access to the shores of Lake Ontario again. More than 40,000 residential units will be built, along with one million square metres of commercial space. It is essential that Quebec companies have the opportunity to put their experience at the service of these projects.”
Companies that took part in the trade mission organized by the Board of Trade attended a presentation by Waterfront Toronto, a corporation created by the Canadian and Ontario governments and by the City of Toronto to carry out revitalization work on this previously industrial area of the city. Participants also enjoyed a guided tour of the site and had one-on-one meetings with architects, developers, general contractors and designers working on the projects to generate business opportunities. The day ended with a networking event at the Bureau du Québec à Toronto.
“While this trade mission was relatively short, we met some incredible people,” said Fabienne Montgrain, business development manager for Northex Environnement, one of the companies that participated. “We definitely have a great deal of effort ahead of us to achieve our objectives, but now we can hope that the process will go faster.”
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of some 7,000 members. Its mission is to represent the interests of the business community of Greater Montréal and to provide individuals, merchants, and local 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
Phone: 514 871-4000, extension 4015
sylvie.paquette@ccmm.qc.ca