Press release The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal applauds the announcement of a national aerospace and
defence strategic framework
Montreal, November 25, 2005 The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal welcomes the presentation made today by the Honourable Jean-C. Lapierre, Minister of Transport, of the national aerospace and defence strategic framework. This framework, developed in partnership with the industry's key players, will span a 20-year time horizon and promote the growth of a strategically important sector for Montreal's economy. The Board of Trade has often collaborated with trade unions and industry representatives to emphasize the importance of Canada adopting a national aerospace policy.
With global competition in the high technology sector becoming fiercer by the day, we must ensure we have the tools we need to compete. This strategic framework represents a structuring initiative for the industry, and it must be implemented quickly to create the best environment possible to allow the region's many aerospace companies notably the SMEs that support the development of major contractors to grow to their full potential, explained Isabelle Hudon, president and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.
The aerospace sector constitutes an industry with a high value-added manufacturing component. It already employs some 40,000 workers in Quebec, 95% of whom work in the Greater Montreal region, continued Ms. Hudon. When you think of the aerospace sector, you immediately think of large corporations that stand among the flagships of our economy. However, it's important not to forget their sub-contractors and service suppliers. Of the approximately 250 of these in Quebec, including 150 in the Montreal area, the vast majority are SMEs.
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