POLICY STATEMENT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CITY OF MONTREAL

The Board of Trade represents the interests of the Greater Montreal business community. Its primary objective is to promote the economic development of the metropolitan area and the establishment of optimal conditions for creating new wealth and realizing the full potential of the companies and initiatives of its members.

The Board of Trade believes that any new initiative, whether public or private, affecting or influencing the development of Greater Montreal must be consistent with the goal of creating a true City, that is, a political and economic unit incorporating a central city and its region; a city extending well beyond the territorial limits of the current Ville de Montréal, incorporating all of the economic activity orbiting the hub that is its business centre; a city whose scope, responsibilities, and political powers are reminiscent of the independent city-states of the Renaissance.

In concrete terms, the pursuit of this objective should be based on the following principles:

The harmonious, sustainable development of the City of Montreal requires the integration of a metropolitan vision into international aspirations and the use of political and economic tools essential to that integration.

A metropolitan perspective — The development of the City of Montreal must be undertaken with a strong regional approach ensuring that decisions apparently beneficial on a local scale are not made without considering their regional implications. A spirit of collaboration and consensus-building both among elected representatives in the entire territory on the one hand and among those representatives and the groups and citizens committed to the development of Greater Montreal on the other is therefore essential.
An international focus — Montreal is in direct competition with other cities. The City of Montreal must measure its performance against that of the world's other great cities and take the necessary steps to ensure its influence and that of its companies on the international stage. From this perspective, Montreal has everything to gain from consolidating and cultivating relationships - both bilaterally and within large exchange networks such as the Metropolis Network - with other great cities of the world.
Political powers — As the economic engines and primary creators of wealth in the country, Canada's major cities must wield political, economic, and fiscal powers in line with their importance and increased economic responsibilities. The major centres, such as the City of Montreal, must enjoy greater decision-making power and authority with regard to developing their own economies. Likewise, their accountability should be supported and recognized by higher government levels, particularly with regard to their ability to orient and make strategic development and investment choices.

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The City of Montreal must possess urban infrastructures befitting a city of its international stature that will support its sustainable development.

Quality of life — the City of Montreal must pay particular attention to the numerous infrastructures — whether related to culture, health-care, education, the economy, or community life — that create an attractive living environment. As the focus of business and cultural activities and the place that defines and nurtures the City of Montreal's international character, the downtown core should receive particular attention. In addition to the harmonious development of the central business district, high priority should be placed on other key urban projects such as the revitalization of old neighbourhoods and the protection of our natural and cultural heritage.
Tools for growth — If it is to fully realize its development potential, the City of Montreal needs infrastructures that will allow the efficient transportation of goods and people — both within the city and beyond — while allowing all its citizens to enjoy a high-quality living environment. The City of Montreal must therefore continue to develop and improve its public transportation system, its road and railroad networks, and its port and airport facilities. Both the installation of new infrastructures and the modernization of existing ones must be done with particular attention to their long-term impact, especially on the environment, and the future needs of the region.

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Montreal companies must operate within an equitable fiscal and legislative framework promoting innovation, productivity, and competitiveness.

A framework promoting investment and innovation — The world's major urban centres are fiercely competitive in terms of fiscal policies. We can celebrate the fact that our knowledge-based and high technology industries are among the best in the world and that Greater Montreal is one of the top research centres in North America. It is critical, however, that the fiscal framework within which our companies evolve serve to maintain jobs, promote investment, and protect the City of Montreal's position among the world's great technology hubs. To this end, the municipal, provincial, and federal governments must work together and make the fiscal competitiveness of the City of Montreal a priority.
Innovation, productivity, and competitiveness: challenges for the City of Montreal — As the economic engine of Quebec, the City of Montreal merits the attention of governments wishing to support the productivity and growth of its companies. Nevertheless, to make the most of their support, an approach adapted to the specific context of the City of Montreal will be needed to optimize the match between the needs identified and the services offered. In line with this desire to see frontline stakeholders entrusted with social and economic mandates, the Board of Trade is particularly favourable to the administration and delivery of certain programs targeting the development of companies and trade within the City of Montreal being entrusted to the appropriate metropolitan partner associations.

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Creativity, cultural vitality, and a strong social fabric all contribute to the quality of life and economic development of the City of Montreal, sharpening Montreal's competitive edge on the international scene. They must be actively supported.

A participatory social and cultural amalgam — The prosperity of the metropolitan area depends largely on its ability to count on the participation of all its citizens in the region's economic activity. The fight against poverty and exclusion and the acknowledgement and integration of cultural communities are essential to weaving a strong social fabric, and the business community and government decision-makers must contribute to achieving those ends. This social cohesion is all the more important in that Montreal boasts a cultural and linguistic diversity that is unique in North America, a powerful asset in terms of competitiveness and openness to the world.
A good place to live and do business — The world has become so small and international competition between cities so intense that quality of life now plays a significant role in setting one urban centre apart from the rest. It is therefore important both to preserve and enhance the quality of life of residents of the City of Montreal (from public security to public services and the quality of health care) and to support the vitality and diversity of the cultural and linguistic environment, thus ensuring that the City of Montreal is not only "a nice place to visit" but also a great place to live.

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The City of Montreal must have the means to produce, attract, and retain a constantly growing number of skilled workers.

An education system that leaves no one out — The economic prosperity of the City of Montreal depends largely on the quality of its entire pool of human resources. It is thus important to ensure that the public education system has the flexibility and financial means necessary to offer all students an equal chance for success and to instil a taste for excellence in as many of them as possible. At the same time, we must attack all of the root causes of the school drop-out phenomenon and work to facilitate the entry of young people into the job market.
Higher quality higher education — At a time when the creation of wealth relies on the mastery and innovative application of knowledge, the international competitiveness of the City of Montreal relies on a first-rate university network including world-class research and training centres of excellence. Universities must have the resources needed to produce top-level talents and create the synergy that will help attract and retain foreign professionals.

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Many people have described the creation of the new City of Montreal and the Montreal Metropolitan Community in terms of a chance for a fresh start for the metropolitan area. The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal fully agrees that there is an urgent need for Montreal to "move resolutely forward"; yet the challenges facing the City of Montreal are such that if it really is to move forward, stakeholders in the region will have to rally round a cohesive vision and work together to achieve a common goal: the economic development and improved well-being of the community. In this regard, and as representative of the Greater Montreal business community, the Board of Trade wishes to be an agent for responsible, contributory change.

More than just offering this policy statement as a compass to stimulate and guide the work of its committees, the Board of Trade wishes to translate its commitment to the development of the City of Montreal into concrete contributions and accomplishments. The Board of Trade intends to play a leadership role by encouraging public debates on economic and urban development, particularly through action research and the holding of events designed to promote the search for solutions and strategies adapted to the Montreal context. For players in the business community it represents, the Board of Trade also aims to serve as a forum for discussion and training concerning new governance values, sustainable development, and the social responsibility of companies - challenges that face not just the business community but all of civil society.

March 2002