Press release
The Plan Nord: let’s ensure this ambitious project
contributes to the prosperity of Montreal
Montreal, May 9, 2011 – The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is delighted with the release of the broad lines of the Government of Quebec’s Plan Nord. Today’s announcement by Premier Charest provides for several billion dollars in public and private investment in Northern Quebec over the coming decades.
“The development of Quebec’s northern regions harbours represents an immense potential for the entire economy of Quebec and for Montreal in particular,” said Michel Leblanc, president and CEO of the Board of Trade. “The Plan Nord is also a plan for the south that will allow Montreal to reinforce its position as the primary professional services centre for natural resources companies. These investments will have beneficial effects for head offices of exploration and exploitation companies, as well as those in consulting engineering and related services.”
“Quebeckers have a major collective project before them,” Mr. Leblanc said. “There is tremendous demand for our natural resources worldwide. It’s up to us to get organized so that Quebec society enjoys their benefits, while protecting our environment and the biodiversity of our land. These massive investments in the regions and economic activity in the major urban centres will add to the positive effects of the knowledge and creative economy we have developed in the past few decades.”
“The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal will mobilize to support the Montreal business community so that it seizes all the opportunities of the Plan Nord,” Mr. Leblanc said. “We enthusiastically await the arrival of new players who will anchor some of their Northern development activities in the south. The development of Northern Quebec’s unexploited riches is good news, both for Quebec’s regions and for Montreal.”
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 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
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4015
sylvie.paquette@ccmm.qc.ca