Press release
The major development projects: Montréal keeps up the pace despite the crisis
Montréal, May 22, 2009 Today the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal held its annual seminar on Montréal's major projects. Under the theme Keeping up the pace despite the crisis, some three hundred high-level managers and decision makers met to discuss the implementation and advancement of ten major projects in the metropolitan area. The Honourable Christian Paradis, Canada's Minister of Public Works and Government Services; Raymond Bachand, Quebec's Minister of Finance and Minister of Economic Development, Innovation, and Export Trade; and Gérald Tremblay, Mayor of Montréal, were in attendance.
If there's one thing that was clearly demonstrated this morning, it's that the major projects are advancing well despite the current economic instability. The participants were in clear agreement: financing is tough, but it's important to keep up the pace. Some projects, such as the Quartier des spectacles, will begin highlighting the distinctive character of the metropolis this year. Others, including the university hospital centres, the redevelopment of the Bonaventure expressway, and the Outremont Campus, should take key steps forward. We are thus confident that these major projects will help us emerge from the crisis and generate significant economic spinoffs that will benefit all of Quebec, declared Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.
Like many metropolises around the world, Montréal must innovate not only to maintain a high level of economic activity here at home, but also to set itself apart on the international stage. Our image must reflect what we are: a metropolis of creators. That's why we are launching a challenge to all the developers and decision-makers who took part in today's debate: let us make a collective commitment to employ creativity in the design and implementation of all our development projects, whatever they may be, continued Leblanc.
Just as we now require an environmental analysis of all our major projects, let us also insist that, over time, creativity become an evaluation criterion and a distinctive trademark of our city, firmly anchored in reality, concluded 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