Press release
Extension of the metro: The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
salutes the metropolitan vision behind this major sustainable mobility and economic development project
Montréal, September 16, 2009 The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is delighted with the decision to go ahead with the extension of the metro within the cities of Montréal, Laval and Longueuil.
For the Board of Trade, today's announcement reflects a shared metropolitan vision of the importance of public transit for efficient travel within Greater Montréal. We congratulate the three mayors, Gérald Tremblay, Gilles Vaillancourt and Claude Gladu, for concluding this agreement to establish clear priorities for the development of the metro in the region, said Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal President and CEO Michel Leblanc.
The Board of Trade also pointed to the importance of creating mechanisms to ensure that the project comes in on budget and on schedule. Over the years, actual costs have varied widely from initial estimates on too many projects. These overruns explain a certain amount of scepticism on the part of business people and the public. This is why we support the Government of Quebec in creating a project office with the mandate of going through the costs and benefits of each extension with a fine-tooth comb, Mr. Leblanc said.
To complete ambitious projects, we have to be able to channel the energy and attention of the many partners. This is why the presence on the same podium of the Premier of Quebec, the Minister of Transport and the mayors of the three largest cities in the metropolitan area is an exciting signal for the development of the metro over the next ten years, concluded Mr. Leblanc.
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 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
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4015
sylvie.paquette@ccmm.qc.ca