Montréal, November 15, 2012 – As municipal officials prepare to choose the person who will act as mayor of Montréal until the election in November 2013, the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is pleased to note the candidates’ clear and unequivocal commitment to revising the budget proposal for 2013 and to reducing the property tax increase to 2.2% in 2012-2013.
“As we expressed in our pre-budgetary recommendations and in our critique of the budget proposal, it would have been unacceptable to raise the tax burden on Montréal taxpayers and businesses beyond the rate of inflation. The announced 3.3% increase—which is 50% higher than the inflation rate—took no account of the still difficult and uncertain economic environment and, above all, of the abnormally high unemployment rate in Montréal compared to the rest of the province. In addition, the allegations made before the Charbonneau commission have shown that Montrealers have been cheated, and that reinforcing management processes could create major savings for the City,” stated the President and CEO of the Board of Trade, Mr. Michel Leblanc.
“The city’s taxpayers are among the most taxed people in North America, when you consider all levels of government together. They are entitled to tax relief. The City must instead reduce spending to free up the funds required for water management. We expect the new mayor to follow through with his or her commitment, and to immediately begin efforts to rationalize expenditures,” added Mr. Leblanc.
“The mayor will be able to count on the full cooperation of the Board of Trade between now and the next election in promoting the importance of the city and in furthering growth-generating measures required for a business environment conducive to creating wealth,” concluded Michel Leblanc.
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is made up of some 7,000 members. Its 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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Sources:
Sylvie Paquette
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4015
sylvie.paquette@ccmm.qc.ca
Caroline Couillard
Morin Relations Publiques
Tel.: 514 289-8688, ext. 233
Mobile: 514 755-5729
caroline@morinrp.com