Press release
New Trends in Sustainable Development and Energy
Efficiency: World Trade Centre Montréal
Organizes a Seminar with the Netherlands Consulate General Montreal, November 27, 2003 The World Trade Centre Montréal, a service branch of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, is holding today, in partnership with the Netherlands Consulate General, a seminar to make the business community aware of the new trends in sustainable development and energy efficiency.
Quebec spent more than $22 billion on energy in 2000. It is the second largest per capita consumer after the United States. The involvement of federal, provincial and municipal organizations in this matter shows just how urgent it has become to sensitize major users to reduce consumption. Energy efficiency is an issue that affects us all, and in this regard, there are excellent opportunities for architecture, construction, engineering and transportation companies in Greater Montreal and across Quebec, affirmed Benoit Labonté, president of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.
At this seminar, Quebec and Canadian companies will discover innovative environmental technology practices used by the Dutch. The Netherlands are a good example, because over the years, they have developed green energy methods to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions. The participants will also learn about Canadian and Quebec sustainable development and energy efficiency initiatives.
This seminar is an opportunity to exchange knowledge on innovative environmental technologies. Five seasoned speakers from the Netherlands will present their best practices, developed over the years in green energy, and the innovative use of certain components. In 2002 alone, production of green electricity climbed 24% in our country, and wind, biomass and solar energy are increasingly being used. In fact, the installed capacity of wind power jumped 40% in 2002, and the number of Dutch households seeking to buy green energy continues to grow, added Fred de Bruin, Consul of the Netherlands Consulate General.
Alan DeSousa, member of the Executive Committee of the City of Montreal and responsible for urban development, will speak about the City of Montreal's vision for sustainable development.
The day following the seminar, local companies will be able to meet their Dutch counterparts in the morning to talk and forge new business ties.
This activity is a part of the World Trade Centre Montréal Horizons series and is organized in conjunction with the City of Montreal, Public Works and Government Services Canada, the Association québécoise pour la maîtrise de l'énergie, the Ordre des architectes du Québec, government corporation RECYC-QUÉBEC, RÉSEAU environnement, Matrix Energy, CanSIA and Enviro-Access.
A branch of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, World Trade Centre Montréal is supported by Canada Economic Development and offers export services to the greater business community.
The Netherlands Consulate General in Montreal represents the interests of the Netherlands and its citizens in Eastern Canada (Quebec, New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island) and encourages bilateral cooperation in economic, trade, consular, cultural and political matters.
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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
