Press release
The Norman-Bethune Public Health Campus:
the Board of Trade welcomes the implementation of this structuring project
Montréal, December 16, 2011 – The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal is delighted with the announcement by the Minister responsible for Government Administration and Chair of the Treasury Board, Ms. Michelle Courchesne, in the presence of the Minister of Education, Recreation and Sports and Deputy Premier, Ms. Line Beauchamp, regarding the Quebec government’s commitment to implementing the Norman-Bethune Public Health Campus project in the Quartier de la santé de Montréal.
“In its pre-budgetary recommendations presented to the Quebec Finance Minister on November 28, the Board of Trade maintained the importance of banking on the structuring effect of university mega-hospital projects to maximize economic benefits. The Norman-Bethune Campus is a perfect example of the synergy that can be created in proximity to the new CHUM. The Quartier de la santé is showing its attraction potential here in the field of healthcare and life sciences,” stated Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.
“Together with the CHUM and the Université de Montréal, the Board of Trade has invested itself in the Quartier de la santé from the very start. The development of a pole of attraction for public and private investment in the healthcare and life sciences sector in Montréal allows us to benefit from high-level expertise and from massive investments made over the last few years. We are delighted that the government is actively taking part in this vision of the future for our city,” added Michel Leblanc.
“What remains to be done is to ensure that businesses operating in the public health field contribute to the development of the Norman-Bethune Campus and the Quartier de la santé by grafting their own state-of-the-art expertise to the projects,” said Mr. Leblanc.
“Finally, the decision to house the Norman-Bethune Campus near the Îlot Voyageur is excellent news for the Quartier Latin. The arrival of the Université de Montréal’s School of Public Health, of Montréal’s Public Health Agency, of Quebec’s Institute of Public Health, and of the CHUM will have a hand in the revitalization of this sector by attracting several highly qualified workers. This concentration of public health expertise will contribute to the creation of wealth and will help further the city’s reputation,” concluded Michel Leblanc.
About the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
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.
-30-
Source:
Geneviève Jutras
Communications Advisor
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Phone: 514 871-4000, extension 4042
gjutras@ccmm.qc.ca