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Reducing costs in an economic downturn:
Greater MontrÉal
a first-rate Destination
During economic slowdowns, businesses most often seek solutions enabling them to reduce operating costs and thus maintain their net profits over the short term. Relocating business activities to destinations featuring more advantageous cost/quality ratios is often a winning strategy. In this respect, the results of the 23rd Annual Corporate Survey conducted by the U.S. magazine, Area Development, attest the importance of cost factors for American investors selecting a location site. According to this survey, seven of the ten localization factors are directly contingent on expenditure, (i.e. wages, occupancy and construction costs, tax incentives, and energy costs).
Greater Montréal not only offers a world-class business environment at an unbeatable price, but it also boasts highly skilled, creative labour. With eleven institutions of higher learning, including four major universities, the Montréal area ranks first among Canadian cities for the number of university students and researchers. Over half the population is bilingual and close to 20% speaks three languages or more.
From the standpoint of competitiveness of business operating expenses, which include all of the cost items a company has to assume, Greater Montreal ranks first among the 20 largest metropolitan regions in Canada and the U.S. This makes the city a first-class “nearshore” destination for foreign investors. This is a great advantage for American companies seeking to establish a presence near their target clienteles.
One impact of the recent devaluation of the Canadian dollar was to appreciably improve cost advantage ratio in comparison to the average city in the U.S. For the months of January and February 2009, the average exchange rate was $1 CA = $0.81 U.S., which reflects the average rate over the last seven years and the forecasts of major Canadian banks for the rest of 2009. Combining this advantageous rate with cost models established by the “Competitive Alternatives” study issued by KPMG in 2008, gives Montréal a 16% cost advantage over the average U.S cities. This cost advantage is even more significant in R&D and high technology, notably clinical trial management (34.4%), electronic system testing (28.6%), biomedical R&D (24.1%), advanced software (24.1%), and multimedia and web content creation (23.2%).
By and large, companies that make cost control a priority are more sensitive to incentive measures. Greater Montréal is an investment destination that is recognized for the competitiveness and diversity of its range of incentives. Montréal’s evident cost advantage in the R&D sectors, as seen above, is largely explained by the generous R&D income tax credits extended by the governments of Québec and Canada. These incentives enable companies to almost halve their R&D costs in Greater Montréal. There are yet other tax measures that make Greater Montréal an incomparable North American preferred destination for innovation and high technology, such as tax holidays for foreign experts and researchers (up to 100% of income), as well as the refundable tax credits for the development of the e-business and production of multimedia titles (up to respective maximums of 30% and 37.5% of salaries). Kovasys Inc. is a firm that specializes in placing business and IT consultants in Montréal. In November 2008, its experts reported that more and more American companies—Morgan Stanley among them—were relocating their software-development activities to Greater Montréal to take advantage of local incentives and minimize the negative impacts of the economic slowdown (Read article).
Mobilization of the governments
OF Canada AND QuÉbec
To boost the economy in 2009
On January 14, 2009, the Government of Québec announced it was earmarking $291 M in 2009-10 for the funding of new initiatives in support of the economy and employment. The principal initiatives directly influencing the investment climate in Greater Montréal are the following:
- Contribution of a billion dollars to the Société générale de financement du Québec (SGF) for subsequent investment in Québec-based companies (in addition to the $1B Renfort program announced on November 4, 2008).
- Increased infrastructure investment by the Government of Québec: the Plan québécois des infrastructures 2008-2013 will total $41.8 B, an increase of more than 10%, i.e. $4.1 B more than in the 2007-2012 plan.
-Stimulation of film and television production in Québec: increase in the base rate of income tax credits from 29.17% to 35% and from 39.38% to 45%, 10% increase for certain productions not benefiting from government funding, elimination of the $2,187,000 ceiling on the maximum amount that can be claimed by a film production or a television series, and lastly an increase in the maximum Québec income tax credit rate from 48.56% to 65%.
2009 economic statement – explanatory document
On March 19, 2009, the Government of Québec tabled a budget prescribing a new stimulus package of some $470 M for the period from 2009-10 to 2010-11. All told, the new initiatives in the 2009-10 budget will result in the injection of an extra $3.4 B into the Québec economy in 2009 and 2010. Below are some of the principal measures instituted to enhance the appeal of Greater Montréal:
- Establishment of an investment fund:
- $825 M to finance a venture capital fund
- Creation of a $500 M emergency fund to relaunch business. The value of 3 investments is to vary between $15 M and $75 M
- $125 M for the creation of three start-up funds in high-tech sectors.
- Fiscal measures:
- Broadening of the conditions of eligibility to the refundable tax credit for the development of e-business. Any activities falling under the six following codes of the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) are now eligible: 334110, Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing; 334220, Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing; 417310, Computer Peripheral and Pre-Packaged Software Wholesale Distributors; 443120, Computer and Software Stores; 511210, Software Publishers; and 51821, Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services.
- Institution of a ten-year tax holiday applicable against corporate income tax in order to foster the marketing of new items of intellectual property.
- Ajustments to refundable tax credit for design. The definition of eligible design activities has been expanded to include the design of goods made on an industrial basis, and the made-in-Québec criterion will be withdrawn.
- Financial aid measures:
- $518 M increase in the Pacte pour l'emploi (pact for employment). This new phase includes a 25% to 50% increase in government participation in the financing of training projects forming part of large-scale economic development projects.
- $8 M contribution over two years for the institution of a green energy technology development program.
On January 27, 2009, the Government of Canada tabled a budget including stimulus measures totalling some $30 B in 2009, i.e. 1.9% of GDP. The Government’s Economic Action Plan aims to create or at least maintain 190,000 jobs in Canada. Here are some of that plan’s principal measures enhancing the attractiveness of Greater Montréal:
- Measures in support of business:
- Deduction for temporary 100% depreciation on computers acquired after January 27, 2009 but before February 1, 2011 (which measure the Government of Québec emulated).
- Deduction for accelerated temporary depreciation at the rate of 50% for investments expended in 2010 and 2011 on machinery and on manufacturing or processing equipment (which measure the Government of Québec emulated).
- Savings of $440 M for Canadian industry via the permanent withdrawal of tariffs on an entire range of machinery and equipment.
- Decrease of the $3 M ceiling on R&D expenditure for purposes of the 35% tax credit (recently increased to 35%) as soon as taxable income exceeds the proposed small-business threshold of $500,000. This ceiling is entirely cancelled if taxable income for the preceding year is $800,000 or more.
- Measures to improve access to financing:
- $13 B to increase the capacities of Crown corporations with a financial vocation
- Founding of the Canadian Secured Credit Facility, which has funds of up to $12 B
- Measures to stimulate succession planning and training:
- In partnership with the provinces and territories, $50 M over two years for a national action framework for the recognition of foreign credentials
- $87.5 M more over three years to expand the Canada Graduate Scholarships Program
The 2009 Budget – Canada’s economic action plan
Investments
in the high-tech sectors
On March 31, 2008, CAE, a world leader in providing simulation and modelling technologies and integrated training solutions for the civil aviation industry and defence forces around the globe, announced that it would invest up to $714 M in Project Falcon, a research and development (R&D) program that will span five years in Greater Montréal. The goal of Project Falcon is, among other things, to expand CAE’s current modelling and simulation technologies and develop new ones. The Government of Canada will participate in Project Falcon through a repayable investment of up to $250 M. This investment is being made through the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI). Through the course of the program, approximately 1,000 jobs will be created or maintained.
Press release
On February 6, 2009, Bombardier, a world leader in innovative transport solutions, particularly in the business and commercial aircraft sectors, announced that recruitment to fill 600 new positions to help build the newly launched CSeries and Learjet 85 aircraft would pick up again in the near future. The company also announced that it was in the process of recruiting more than 230 experts in interior finishing for its Global finishing facility in Montréal. The number of resulting permanent jobs would total some 830 at Bombardier’s installations in Montréal and Belfast, in Northern Ireland.
Press release
On January 13, 2009, CMC Electronics, a Montréal subsidiary of Esterline Corporation specializing in the design and manufacture of advanced electronic products for the aviation market, announced it would invest $149.4 M in its FronTier™ R&D project over the next five years. This investment involves innovative technologies for cockpits and commercially oriented integrated communications systems destined for business, regional and commercial air transport and helicopter aircraft. Through its assistance program called the Strategic Aerospace and Defence Initiative (SADI), the Canadian Government will invest $52.3 M over the same period.
Press release
On February 11, 2009, French thermics company EPSILON, specialized in high-tech civil and military system architecture, has entered into a partnership with EPSILON RTO, a new Canadian-controlled private corporation that has opened an office in Montréal as a foothold in view of a North American expansion. We are happy to report that the company, which had the support of Montréal International to set up in Montréal, plans to hire more than twenty employees over the next three years. The EPSILON investment is valued at close to $6.2 M. “The creation of EPSILON RTO and its establishment in Greater Montréal are key steps in our strategy to tackle the North American market. The availability of a highly qualified workforce, the strong concentration of research centres, a dynamic academic environment and the existing technological infrastructure all constitute growth factors for our company,” declared EPSILON president Bruno Desaunettes.
Press release
On March 11, 2009, JPC Aviation, a French company that designs and builds high-precision traffic signal lights, has officially announced that it was launching its operations in Greater Montréal. The company, which had the support of Montréal International to set up in Montréal, plans to hire at least ten employees over the next three years. The investment is valued at over $2 M. According to Renaud Cloâtre, president of JPC Aviation, “The opening of a subsidiary in the Montréal region is a key step in our business strategy to penetrate the North American market.”
Press release
On February 17, 2009, Economic Development Canada extended a $200,000 repayable contribution to DAC Aviation International Ltd. of Montréal to improve its aircraft maintenance facilities. In the wake of this project, the company created 14 skilled positions in aeronautics, which brings its number of employees to a total of 36. DAC Aviation International Ltd. provides an aircraft engine and component maintenance and repair service, while also operating airline services in a number of countries benefiting from the humanitarian aid of organizations like the United Nations’ World Food Programme.
Press release
On February 11, 2009, Vidéotron, an integrated communications corporation headquartered in Montréal, announced that it was redoubling its efforts to fill more than 500 permanent positions in 2009. This announcement came further to the upcoming construction of Vidéotron’s new wireless telecommunications network, which project entails investments valued at $800 M to $1 B.
Press release
In mid-February, Groupe Conseil OSI, a firm specializing in information technologies, revealed that it was planning to take on more employees over the coming year. According to OSI President Louis Pratt, the company “has plans to surpass the 1,000-employee threshold via internal growth, new contracts and an acquisition.” For that matter, the contract signed with the World Anti-Doping Agency in late 2008 helped stimulate the company’s expansion projects. Groupe Conseil OSI relies heavily on human resources of 700 specialists, in its Montréal and Québec City offices.
On February 9, 2009, Gamerizon, an independent studio specializing in the development of so-called “casual” video games, officialized the fact it was staying in Montréal, a city that is world-renowned for its booming video-game industry. This fresh new Montréal-based studio is currently focusing on the development of the next generation of multiplatform casual games and is primarily targeting digital distribution, ranging from intelligent mobile platforms to next-generation consoles, for both Mac and PC.
Press release
On January 20, 2009, Canix Colo Inc., a Montréal-based neutral collocation infrastructure provider, announced the official opening of two new neutral data centres occupying a total of 35,500 square feet, bringing its total number of facilities to five, and a new total of 100,000 square feet in office space. Canix President and CEO Stéphane Côté had this to say: “We are positioning Canix as a world leader in neutral collocation infrastructure and thus affirming the role of Montréal as a hub in the field of international telecommunications infrastructure. In addition to building strong business ties with Canadian partners Bell Canada, Telus and Vidéotron, we have managed to attract some of the world’s largest telecommunications companies to Montréal, notably Cogent, Level 3, Hibernia Atlantic and Tiscali—all for the greater good of our collocation clients in our neutral data centres. As far as this market goes, we are now able to compete with firms based in New York and Toronto.”
Press release
On January 20, 2009, OSIsoft, a Californian company specializing in corporate infrastructure for data management and technical events, announced the opening of its new global monitoring and operation centre. Located in the company’s Canadian headquarters in Montréal, the new monitoring and virtualization centre is now one of its four world monitoring and operation centres ensuring proper functioning of OSIsoft technologies used in industry. The company has also undertaken to double the surface area of its Montréal headquarters in the near future.
On March 16, 2009, MédiSolution, a Montréal company specializing in enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions and software applications for blood banks, joined with Brookfield Asset Management in what is called a “going-private transaction.” Once this transaction is complete, Brookfield will acquire the entirety of outstanding common shares of MédiSolution for cash consideration of $0.30 per share, which would total some $19 M.
Press release
INVEStments in
other strategic sectors
On March 4, 2009, Fidelity Canada, the country’s sixth-largest mutual fund investment company, announced that its Team Canada, one of the largest buy-side teams dedicated to researching and analyzing Canadian equities, is coming home and moving into its new offices in Montréal and Toronto. Founded in Boston in 1997, Fidelity’s Team Canada comprises 25 portfolio managers and research analysts who administrate Canadian mutual funds.
Press release
On February 12, 2009, InterContinental Hotels and Resorts, a flagship banner of the InterContinental Hotels Group of the U.K., announced a $14 M investment in its Montréal property. The aim is to entirely redefine every aspect of guest hospitality at the hotel. The work started in January and is scheduled to end in the spring of 2009. A large proportion of the investment will be used to totally redesign all of the hotel’s rooms and suites and provide businesses and travellers with the state of the art when it comes to style, comfort and modern technology.
Press release
Starting in January 2009, Christie’s Great Estate, a major international brokerage firm, established a presence in Montréal after selecting Profusion Realty as an affiliate. Christie’s Great Estate is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Christie’s, the world-renowned auction house. The firm specializes in high-end properties, and its head office is in the U.S. On January 5, 2009, its partner in Montréal, Profusion Realty, opened an office at 1361 Greene Avenue, in Westmount, with a team of fifteen professional real estate agents.
On February 6, 2009, GENIVAR, a top-ranked engineering consulting firm, officialized its acquisition of WSA Trenchless Consultants Inc., an infrastructure rehabilitation firm operating in metropolitan Montréal. WSA was founded in 1997 and is active across Canada. It ranks among the top 50 North American firms making use of trenchless rehabilitation (Trenchless Technology magazine, December 2008).
Press release
On February 24, 2009, Fondaction, the Confédération des syndicats nationaux (CSN) fund for cooperation and employment, announced the creation of a new concept in real estate investment, the Fonds immobilier Angus, s.e.c. (FIA – Angus real estate fund). Starting with $30 M in seed money, FIA will carry out urban revitalization projects from a sustainable development standpoint. This fund will be managed by Angus Development Corporation, a leader in environmental real estate development in Québec and Canada. An initial investment of $5 M has already been pledged for the completion of 2-22, the flagship building of Montréal’s new entertainment district, the Quartier des spectacles de Montréal.
Press release
On March 17, 2009, heavy machinery specialist Nortrax and Catania Real Estate Group together announced a $6 M investment for the construction of the future site of Nortrax’s service and distribution centre on the South Shore of Montréal. The new building will occupy 30,000 square feet of office space. Currently employing 35 people, Nortrax contemplates opening six more direct positions for certified technicians.
Press release
Everest Cold Storage, a new player on Montréal’s refrigeration scene, will officially open its next-generation refrigeration installations in April. Everest’s 98,000-sq.-ft. installations are only the first phase of a project that will eventually total 200,000 sq.ft, with vertical clearance of 72 feet. These facilities are designed for the storage of temperature-sensitive food products requiring refrigeration down to -20°C. These installations will create up to 30 new jobs in the Dorval area.
Major progress towards a global
economic Agreement between
Canada and the European Union
On March 5, 2009, Canada and the European Union officialized their agreement on the topics in negotiation, to pave the way to an eventual global economic agreement. Among the themes were trade in products and services, as well as other domains, notably investment, the technical obstacles to trade, and cooperation in regulatory matters. According to initial analyses, this economic agreement could increase Canada's GDP by $12 B and bilateral trade by over 20%. This objective would be reached by granting business advantages to industries such as aerospace, chemical products and generally to other business services. In 2008, bilateral trade in goods between Canada and the European Union totalled $90.1 B.
Press releaseText of the “Joint Report on the EU-Canada Scoping Exercise”
New international Agreement
between Canada and Spain
regarding industrial innovation
On February 26, 2009, Canada’s National Research Council Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP) and Spain’s Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) signed a new, two-year agreement to foster cooperation among their respective small and medium-sized businesses in pursuit of their shared research and development activities. The NRC-IRAP and the CDTI share common objectives in their mandate to help small businesses with activities such as technology transfer, industrial research, and technological development and innovation. The agreement ratified by these two agencies will give small and medium-sized Canadian and Spanish businesses access to worldwide support networks.
Press release
Strategic partnership between
MONTRÉAL International and Paris-Ile
De france CapitaLE ÉCONOMIQUE
On February 5, 2009, Montréal International and Paris-Ile de France Capitale Économique announced the signing of a strategic partnership to support the promotion of foreign investment in Île-de-France and Greater Montréal, thereby contributing to the economic development of both regions. This agreement will foster business and partnership opportunities between the respective members of both organizations and companies in both regions. Its prime goals are to share information and best practices and thus enhance the attractiveness of both regions, develop joint projects and events and build close relationships between the competition clusters in Greater Montréal and the Île-de-France region.
Press release
In 2008, the Canadian Banking System
was impressive in its stability
According to further Bloomberg data, the Royal Bank of Canada, the Toronto-Dominion Bank, the Bank of Nova Scotia and the Bank of Montréal respectively ranked 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th largest in North America based on assets at the end of 2008. Canadian banks remained profitable and performed better than their counterparts south of the border. This is due to banking rules that are stricter from the outset in terms of standards and thresholds for loans and bank capital. The six largest lenders in Canada reported combined depreciation of less than $20 B in securities debt obligations in 2007, i.e. only a little more than 2% of the US$887.1 B posted by banks and brokerage firms worldwide.
Press release
Partnership to foster
better retention of
skilled temporary workers
On January 30, 2009, the ministère de l’Immigration et des Communautés culturelles (MICC – Québec’s Department of Immigration and Cultural Communities) and Montréal International inaugurated an economic partnership with a mandate to promote permanent residency for skilled temporary workers in the Greater Montréal area. Valid until 2011, this agreement has secured $1.4 M in funding from Montréal International, $1.2 M from the MICC and $200,000 from the Conférence régionale des élus de Montréal (the CRÉ de Montréal – an association of elected officials). “We all know that the availability of a trained, skilled and experienced workforce is key to companies’ growth and that it represents a major challenge for Québec entrepreneurs. Accordingly, we are joining forces with Montréal International to ensure that more temporary workers, who already fill pressing labour needs, opt to settle in Québec and make a lasting contribution,” said Minister Yolande James.
Press release
The crÉ de MontrÉal unveils the parmi:
plan d'action rÉgional
en matiÈre d'immigration,d'intÉgration
de relations interculturelles
On March 9, 2009, CRÉ de Montréal unveiled its PARMI (Regional Action Plan for Immigration, Integration and Intercultural relations), as well as a number of projects already in progress under this plan. The CRÉ mobilized over 50 partners from the institutional, business and civil society sectors to participate in the design and development of the plan’s first ten projects, which generated investments of more than $5 M. The PARMI’s principal aims are to quickly and sustainably phase personnel into employment situations, retain temporary labour and foreign students, and promote services acknowledging skills and competencies. Montréal International participates in the temporary labour retention project at a regional scale.
Press release
The Port of MONTRÉAL posts
record results in 2008
and IS RECOGNIZED FOR ITS
ENVIRONMENTAL engagement
The Port of Montréal saw overall growth of 3.9% in 2008, boasting total traffic of 27 M tonnes. For that matter, the Port of Montréal outperformed North America’s 10 largest container ports in 2008.
Press release
Statistics
On January 29, 2009, the Port of Montreal was decorated with the prestigious Green Award in recognition of its decision to give a 10% rebate on harbour dues to any incoming ship that is Green Award-certified. This accreditation attests that a ship is extra-safe and extra-clean. In return, ships with this certification are entitled to rebates in some 30 ports in seven different countries, including Canada.
Press release
The Clean
Technology cluster is born
The Clean technology cluster was officially launched at the International Americana Conference on March 17, 2009. This new cluster has many objectives. It aims for Québec to reach its full potential in the “cleantech” sector, reinforce the underlying industrial structure, increase the wherewithal of small and medium-sized businesses, and increase the number of large businesses making use of clean technologies. The mission of the cluster is to streamline the development and marketing of technologies invented in Québec, mobilize local markets to stimulate the growth of the industry, increase exports to and from the more gainful niches, and combine the efforts of all parties involved. Press release
The success@MontrÉal Program
for industrial building owners
(PR@M – INDUSTRY):
Promising new projects for 2009
On March 9, 2009, the City of Montréal announced that seven new requests from industrial owners were accepted under the success@montréal Program, for industrial building owners (PR@M - Industry). Since 2008, 40 requests have been accepted, generating private investments estimated at over $160 M. Under this program, the owner of an industrial building is eligible for a subsidy equivalent to 100% of the increase in the general property tax attributable to any admissible improvement work for the first three years. The subsidy would drop to 80% in the fourth year, and 60% in the fifth. In certain particular cases, the general property tax refund would remain at 100% for all five years involving the subsidy.
Press release
CREATION of new business-led
networks of centres
of excellence (BL-NCEs)
On February 23, 2009, the Government of Canada announced the establishment of two new Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence (BL-NCEs) in the Montréal region. The Canadian Forest Nano Products Network (ArboraNano), in Pointe-Claire, will receive $8.9 M over four years, while the Québec Consortium for Drug Discovery (CQDM), in Montréal, will receive $8 M, also over four years. These BL-NCEs are vast cooperative research networks led by the private sector which focus on specific research topics determined by private industry. These two new BL-NCEs bring the region’s total to four such networks.
Press release
MONTRÉAL Freestyle: a new
STRATeGy for the fashion industry
of greater MONTRÉAL
On March 3, 2009, the City of Montréal and the Government of Québec unveiled a new assistance strategy, Montréal Freestyle, which aims to promote Montréal as a creative centre for fashion, both locally and abroad, by leveraging the city’s know-how, artistic potential and innovative capacity in this domain. Montréal Freestyle has received an investment of $2.4 M over three years. The funds in question were taken directly from the $140-M package extended to the City of Montréal by the Government of Québec. “Thanks to our creative talents—the very skills for which Montréal was designated a UNESCO City of Design—we can use our innovation to stand out. This is what our Montréal Freestyle strategy is intended to,” declared Mayor Gérald Tremblay.
Press release
The ÉCOLE POLYTECHNIQUE DE MONTRÉAL
LAunches a new master's program
in civil engineering projects
On February 19, 2009, the École Polytechnique de Montréal (the engineering faculty of the Université de Montréal) unveiled its new master’s program in civil engineering projects, which is designed to address the major infrastructure investments anticipated for Québec and certain countries in a bid to boost the economy in upcoming years. The program is seeking engineers with at least three years’ experience. It is designed specifically to train people for managing civil engineering projects and all of their ramifications: international joint ventures, environmental and social impact assessment, public-private partnerships (PPP), project scheduling, and so on.
Press release
the UNIVERSITÉ de SHERBROOKE celebrates
50 years of academics
in MontÉRÉgie
On February 18, 2009, the Université de Sherbrooke (UdeS) kicked off its festivities to mark 50 years of active presence in the Montérégie, the theme of the celebration. University rector Bruno-Marie Béchard, pointed out that, without a doubt, the high point of the anniversary would be “the inauguration of a new building on the Longueuil campus—as both a symbol and and a reflection of our commitment to the entire region.”The Longueuil campus has been a presence in the Montérégie and metropolitan area since 2002. All faculties of the UdeS now give lectures in Longueuil.
Press release
The finance alliance for sustainable
trade (FAST) sets up in MontrÉal
In collaboration with Montréal International, the Finance Alliance for Sustainable Trade (FAST) officially inaugurated its Secretariat in Montréal on March 24, 2009. The international organization’s mission is to ensure the continued growth of sustainable production and trade by increasing the number of producers in developing countries who successfully access quality trade finance. “The inauguration of FAST Secretariat in Canada’s international city represents an important step in the growth of a global sustainable financial services sector. The establishment of FAST offices in Montréal highlights a vibrant future for the organization which will benefit greatly from the city’s rich networks committed to sustainable development,” declared FAST President, Jason Potts.
Press release
Microbiologist will converge
in MontrÉal in 2014
On January 29, 2009, Montréal’s convention centre, the Palais des congrès, was selected to play host to all three divisions of the International Union of Microbiological Societies (IUMS), which will confer simultaneously in Montréal in 2014. They are the 14th International Congress of Bacteriology and Applied Microbiology, the 14th International Mycological Congress and the 16th International Congress of Virology. In the course of these events, more than 5,000 convention-goers and some 100 exhibitors will converge in Montréal, generating economic spinoffs on the order of $16 M.
Press release
Casino de MontrÉal Upgrade
On March 23, 2009, Loto-Québec announced an investment of $305.7 M over the next four years in a major project to upgrade the Casino de Montréal. Now that the project is official, the Casino de Montréal will be able to modernize and to compete more successfully with its eastern North American counterparts. The Casino project will create some 3,400 job-years of direct and indirect employment.
Press release
Expansion of the percival-Molson
stadium, home of
the MontrÉal alouettes
On March 8, 2009, the financing of the project to expand Molson Stadium was approved. The Montréal Alouettes will move into a larger stadium in time for their 2010 season. Out of a total investment of $29.4 M, the government of Québec has confirmed its contribution of $19.3 M, the City of Montréal has pledged $4 M and Alouettes owner Bob Wetenhall has assumed $6 M. The stadium’s capacity will jump from 20,202 to 25,000, 18 private boxes will be added, and the video screen will be permanently installed.
Press release
Financial contributons by
the government of CANADA
to the MONTRÉAL high Lights festival
On February 19, 2009, Economic Development Canada announced a series of non-repayable contributions to the Montréal High Lights Festival. Economic Development Canada has allocated financial assistance of nearly $1,4 M which is primarily earmarked for the foreign promotion of the 2009, 2010 and 2011 editions of the Festival. For its part, Canadian Heritage has contributed $120,000 to the 2009 edition. A must-see celebration of Winter in Montréal for the last ten years, the High Lights Festival features three major components: the Arts, the Pleasures of the Table and the Festival of Lights. “All year long, Montréal plays host to many major festivals that exhilarate our city and keep audiences coming back for more. The Montréal High Lights Festival is a major tourism magnet, the proof being in the great many visitors it attracts at the very height of our coldest season. Throughout its 11-day run, this gastronomic and cultural celebration invigorates the Montréal economy and enhances our tourism offering with its rich and varied line-up of activities,” pointed out Senator Suzanne Fortin-Duplessis.
Press release
Other news of interest
On February 10, 2009, the Collège des médecins du Québec (the order of physicians) outlined some noteworthy statistics about its membership as of December 31, 2008. They mentioned that 576 new physicians joined the order in 2008 - the largest number in the past several years - and that 166 fewer physicians retired than in 2007. With the help of an amendment to a statute of the order, 162 physicians were able to convert their restricted licences into regular licences. These permits entitle them to work in private practice as well as in institutions, which improves public accessibility to health care. The average age of physicians should diminish somewhat in coming years with this massive injection of new blood.
Press release
On January 19, 2009, the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) issued its first report on criminality in 2008. Among its crime statistics, the SPVM listed a 30% decrease in the numbers of murders and attempted murders on Montréal Island in 2008. These latest statistics once again confirm that Montréal is one of the safest metropolitan areas in North America.
Press release
On March 2, 2009, the City of Montréal and the government of Québec announced that the City of Montréal would take part in Expo 2010 in Shanghai. Our theme will be “Better City, Better Life.” Montréal is the only Canadian city signed up to date. “Expo 2010 in Shanghai is a golden opportunity for us to show the entire world what we’re capable of, and to demonstrate our expertise in innovation and our know-how in matters of best practices for urban situations. This participation in Expo will also further consolidate the ties of friendship and trade that we enjoy with our twin city, Shanghai, with which we will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of our cordial relationship in 2010,” declared Montréal Mayor Gérald Tremblay.
Press release
On March 24, 2009, Porter Airlines increased its flight frequency on the Toronto-Montréal route. The number of flights between Toronto City Centre Airport (TCCA) and Montréal will double by May 6, 2009 to 18 return flights every weekday, as compared to nine at present. Porter itself will be offering 14 daily return flights as of April 14, 2009. Press release
On March 17, 2009, Air Canada announced that it would inaugurate the summer by adding three new non-stop links from Montréal to Geneva, Rome, and Fort-de-France, Martinique. This is welcome news for people who work for international agencies established in Montréal, as they are frequently required to commute to Geneva.
On January 15, 2009, Concordia University showcased the avant-garde nature of the building that houses the John Molson School of Business. The two upper floors of one of the building’s façades have been covered in solar panels. This landmark integration of this innovative technology combining solar power and heating for a non-residential building with photovoltaic cells is a first not only for Québec but the entire world as well. This innovative technology is the result of work done by the Solar Buildings Research Network, under the guidance of Concordia Professor Andreas Athienitis.
Press release
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