Press release
Composition of the new cabinet:
Montreal will be represented
Montreal, February 6, 2006 The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal extends the congratulations of the Greater Montreal business community to Stephen Harper, Canada's new prime minister, as well as to the 26 new ministers he appointed today. In particular, it welcomes the appointment of Michael Fortier as Minister of Public Works and Government Services as well as Minister responsible for the Montreal region.
The Board of Trade is pleased to note that Quebec will be well represented in the new cabinet through the appointments of Maxime Bernier, Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Lawrence Cannon, Michael Fortier, and Josée Verner to key posts, declared Isabelle Hudon, president and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.
Mr. Harper is sending a clear message regarding the importance he places on our metropolis by inviting Michael Fortier to join his cabinet. Montreal ranks second among Canadian urban centres in terms of both population size and gross domestic product. In fact, in 2004, Greater Montreal alone created almost 10% of Canada's total GDP. Montreal is also one of the six major metropolitan areas that, together, are home to almost 45% of the country's population and generate almost 45% of Canadian wealth. The presence of a Montrealer in the heart of the new government's policy centre is thus excellent news, concluded Hudon.
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:
Julie Desjardins
Coordinator, Communications
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: (514) 871-4000, ext. 4008
julie.desjardins@ccmm.qc.ca