Press release
Metropolitan Governance:
The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal Denounces the Recommendations of the Montreal Transition Committee
Montreal, October 20, 2005 The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal deplores the recommendations unveiled today by the Montreal Transition Committee with regards to the composition of the Agglomeration Council and the Council of the Montreal Metropolitan Community (MMC).
Because the Board of Trade considers Montreal 's development a top priority, it has repeatedly pointed out in recent months the need for a sound and effective metropolitan governance structure. Given the important function it will be exercising, the Agglomeration Council is a vital issue for the development of the Island of Montreal, and its composition must be such that the will expressed by the people in the June 2004 referendums is respected, declared Isabelle Hudon, president and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.
The government committed to creating an agglomeration council that would be light and functional. We do not see how a council with nearly 80 members can satisfy these criteria. Since Bill 75 stipulates that each municipal council must debate and approve the orientations defended by their representatives on the Agglomeration Council, we consider it counter-productive to invite the entire City of Montreal Council to debate the issues a second time, continued Mrs. Hudon.
As for the recommendations regarding the MMC, we are concerned that they will alter the vital balance of power and set the stage for the inertia that characterized the Montreal Urban Community. Given the importance of this structure for metropolitan coherence and cohesion, we feel that the Committee's proposal creates more problems than it resolves, continued Mrs. Hudon.
Consequently, the Board of Trade enjoins the Government of Quebec to reject the recommendations of the Transition Committee.
The real issue here is to see Montreal develop to its full potential. And in order to give it the means to create wealth and reach this potential, we must not hobble it with decision-making bodies that are naturally predisposed to inaction, concluded the Board of Trade's president.
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