Press Release
The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney to join
Mikhail Gorbachev in discussion at Board of Trade event on October 21
Montréal, October 12, 2011 – The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and evenko are pleased to announce that the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney will join the discussion period moderated by the Honourable Michael Fortier after the address of Mikhail Gorbachev, former President of the Soviet Union, on October 21 as part of the Board of Trade’s “International Leaders” series.
“It is a privilege to have Mr. Mulroney at the podium for Mr. Gorbachev’s visit,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. “His experience in the business world and international politics will definitely enrich the discussion. In a context where Quebec wants to increase economic ties with Russia, the city’s business community will benefit from Mr. Mulroney’s knowledge to better understand trade opportunities with the Russian market.”
Mr. Gorbachev’s policy of perestroika, or restructuring, led Mr. Mulroney to indicate Canada’s desire to step up trade relations with the Soviet Union. Canada’s support for the changes made by Gorbachev was demonstrated in November 1989 during a visit by Prime Minister Mulroney to the Soviet Union, accompanied by more than 200 representatives of the Canadian business world.
“The end of the Cold War and positive diplomatic relations between Mr. Gorbachev and Mr. Mulroney had a significant influence on our country’s finances in the 1990s,” Mr. Leblanc said. “They also had a significant impact on our economy by allowing the Canadian government to cut defence spending. I am convinced that increased economic exchanges with Russia will be positive for all parties concerned.”
This Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal event is made possible by the support of Bell and Norton Rose and is organized in cooperation with Bombardier, La Presse, The Gazette and CJAD. Before Mikhail Gorbachev, Chris Hughes, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bill Clinton, Tony Blair, George W. Bush, Alan Greenspan and Sir Richard Branson have addressed the Board of Trade as part of its “International Leaders” forum.
For details about this activity, please visit the Board of Trade Website at www.btmm.qc.ca/gorbachev.
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 Montreal 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