Montréal, May 8, 2020 ‒ The Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal welcomes the parameters for $500 million in emergency financial assistance granted to the culture and sports sectors as announced by Minister of Canadian Heritage Steven Guilbeault.
“The majority of cultural and sports activities have been suspended for almost two months,” said Michel Leblanc, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal. “Organizations and sectors that are vital for Montréal are suffering major losses, athletes and artists are unable to sustain their income, and the impact will continue to be felt for months. It is crucial to help them.”
“We appreciate the flexible criteria for allocating the funds,” Michel Leblanc said. “The financial aid will be available to organizations that need it and that are not necessarily eligible for the Emergency Wage Subsidy. The close to $200 million paid directly to beneficiaries will help support workers, many of them self-employed. Channelling aid mainly through existing programs, granting organizations such as the Canada Council for the Arts and the Canada Media Fund, and local and regional sports federations, will simplify the allocation process for organizations affected by the crisis, to ensure continuity in their activities and protect as many jobs as possible.”
“The assistance announced today is a first step toward ensuring the survival of cultural, heritage and sports organizations, which account for 3% of Canadian GDP,” Michel Leblanc said. “In Montréal, these sectors are an intrinsic part of our DNA and help attract millions of tourists every year. This assistance is necessary to ensure their survival and make sure Montréal succeeds in its recovery from every perspective. We are watching closely for announcements of measures to support the tourism and hotel sectors, which are closely tied to the city’s cultural vitality.”
About the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (CCMM)
With a network of over 8,000 members, the CCMM is active on two fronts: being the voice of the Montréal business community and delivering specialized services to businesses and their representatives. With its finger on the pulse of current events, it acts on issues that are decisive for the prosperity of the city’s businesses. With the support of the Acclr experts, the CCMM’s goal is to accelerate the creation and growth of businesses of all sizes, at home and around the world.
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Source:
Sylvie Paquette
Coordinator, Strategy and Public Affairs
Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal
Tel.: 514 871-4000, ext. 4015
spaquette@ccmm.ca
Facebook: www.facebook.com/chambremontreal
Twitter: @chambremontreal
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