Montréal, November 5, 2014 ‒ The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal welcomes the new tax agreement for 2015, which was entered into by the Government of Québec and municipalities.
“Given the current budgetary context, this new agreement is responsible,” said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. “It reflects the Board of Trade’s position, as presented in the Côté-Séguin Report, which called for streamlining and rationalizing the economic development support system. This is a step in the right direction.”
A review required
“The elimination of the Conférences régionales des élus (CRÉ) for the major centres in Greater Montréal area and the elimination of economic development funding through the Centres locaux de développement (CLD) reflect a clear desire to simplify support,” Mr. Leblanc said. “With the composition of municipal elected officials in Montréal, the CRÉs were obviously redundant. And as for the CLDs, the amount and disparity of expertise and services available created confusion and inefficiency for the city’s businesses and new entrepreneurs. Resources will now be more concentrated and will be better able to invest to ensure that businesses have rapid, direct access to the expertise they need for their development.”
The beginnings of metropolitan status
“We are pleased with the recognition of special status for Montréal,” Michel Leblanc said. “We understand that this is a transitional agreement and that the government has committed that the next agreement will be accompanied by additional powers and sources of financing for the city.”
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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