Press release
Publication of the Quebec government's Economic
development strategy: the metropolis recognized as
the economic engine of Quebec
Montreal, Thursday, October 13, 2005 The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is pleased to note that, with the publication of its Economic development strategy for Quebec, the provincial government has explicitly acknowledged the strategic importance of the Greater Montreal region as the essential engine for the economic development of Quebec .
We knew that Mr. Claude Béchard, Minister for Economic development, Innovation, and Exports, was particularly aware of the importance of Montreal to the economic health of Quebec, and we are delighted that this awareness, which was the subject of many Board of Trade interventions to the Quebec government, has been embodied in this strategy, declared Isabelle Hudon, president and CEO of the Board of Trade.
That said, while we welcome this important step taken by the government, we hope that it will go even further, placing the development and success of the metropolis at the heart of priority issues for all Quebecers. Greater Montreal generates half of Quebec's gross domestic product. It is the engine of the province's economic development and the government's ability to intervene in the development of the regions, added Hudon.
The economic forecast published yesterday by the Conference Board of Canada confirmed this fact yet again: in 2006, Montreal's economy will grow by 3.9%, allowing Quebec's to grow by 3.1%. We therefore believe the economic performance of the metropolis is an issue that all Quebecers should embrace, because Montreal's success is closely linked to the means the government will dispose of to make good on its commitments, concluded Hudon.
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal has some 7,000 members. Its mission is to represent the interests of the business community for the greater Montreal area and to offer a full range of specialized services to individuals, merchants and companies of all sizes so as to help them achieve their full potential in terms of innovation, productivity and competitiveness. The Board of Trade is the largest private organization in Quebec dedicated to economic development.
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Source:
Sylvie Paquette
Coordinator, Media relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: (514) 871-4000, ext. 4015
sylvie.paquette@ccmm.qc.ca