Press release
The not-to-be-missed electoral debate:
4 issues for the economic future of the metropolitan region
Montréal, August 9, 2012 – Representatives of the three main parties running in the 2012 election have responded favourably to the appeal of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal, and will take part in a debate to present and defend their commitments to the metropolitan region. “The city must resume its role as the driving force of the Quebec economy. This debate will provide an opportunity to hear the parties present the measures they will implement in order to make it happen, should they form the next government,” stated Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal.
The debate, which will take place at 8:00 am during a breakfast meeting on Friday, August 17 at the Delta Centre-Ville Hotel, will be moderated by journalist and anchor Gérald Fillion. Mr. Raymond Bachand, candidate for Outremont, will represent the Québec Liberal Party, and Ms. Diane de Courcy, candidate for Crémazie, will represent the Parti Québécois. The Coalition Avenir Québec has confirmed its participation, and the name of its representative will be announced shortly.
Remember that the Board of Trade called on the parties to present their position on the following four requests:
- We are asking the parties to commit to implementing a concrete strategy to improve the city’s business environment.
- We are asking the parties to commit to modernizing and completing the city’s public transit system.
- We are asking the parties to commit to increasing the city’s pool of qualified labour.
- We are asking the parties to commit to resolving the problem of overgovernance afflicting the city.
“As it accounts for 50% of Quebec’s economy, the city must be at the heart of the issues under discussion during this election campaign. The unemployment rate in the agglomeration of Montréal is 3 percentage points higher than elsewhere in Quebec. It is an unacceptable situation, and we must quickly find a solution. When the metropolitan region does well, all of Quebec benefits,” concluded Michel Leblanc.
The city’s business community can go to www.btmm.qc.ca for further details on the breakfast meeting and to learn how to take part in great numbers.
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.
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Media:
Sylvie Paquette
Advisor, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Phone: 514-871-4000, extension 4015
sylvie.paquette@ccmm.qc.ca
Information and reservations:
514-871-4001