Montréal, May 8, 2015 – The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal applauds the 2015-2026 Commerce Plan released this morning by the Mayor of Montréal and President of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal, Denis Coderre, with the Minister of Transport and Minister responsible for the Montréal region, Robert Poëti, in attendance.
“Downtown Montréal is the economic heart of the city and our international calling card,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. “The Commerce Plan presented this morning proposes a targeted strategy that will give Montréal’s commercial arteries a boost. With concrete measures totalling $40.5 million, the Plan will increase our momentum and make a major contribution to the city’s economic vitality.”
“The re-launch of PR@M Commerce is excellent news and is a response to the Board of Trade’s calls to help downtown merchants,” Michel Leblanc added. “This program has demonstrated its ability to encourage businesses to carry out major renovations to put their commercial artery in the best light. The PR@M Commerce will help downtown businesses get noticed against a backdrop of intense competition, whether from surrounding areas or the downtown cores of other major cities around the world.”
Limit the negative impacts of construction work on commercial activity
“We are also delighted with the creation of PR@M Artères, another request made by the Board of Trade during consultations on plans to redo Sainte-Catherine Street West,” Michel Leblanc said. “Major construction work on commercial arteries hurts merchants and can threaten their survival. To avoid the worst-case scenario, the Ville de Montréal has to work with merchants to reduce the negative impact of construction, and this program helps present construction sites in the best light possible and improve the customer experience during these challenging times for sales.”
“Construction work in recent years on Saint-Laurent Blvd. and Parc Ave. had a negative impact on many businesses,” Mr. Leblanc said. “As we get ready to revitalize one of the city’s most important commercial arteries, Sainte-Catherine Street, we are delighted to see that the Government of Quebec and the Ville de Montréal are taking important measures to avoid a recurrence of situations that hampered the city’s economic development.”
About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal has over 7,000 members. Its mission is to be the voice of Montréal’s business community and to promote the city’s prosperity. It is involved in key areas of economic development, advocating a philosophy of action based on engagement, credibility, proactivity, collaboration and innovation. The Board of Trade also offers a range of specialized services to individuals and to business of all sizes to support them in their growth at home and abroad.
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Source:
Michelle LLambias Meunier
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4042
mllambias@ccmm.qc.ca
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