Parcours Développement durable Montréal - The city unveils the 20 businesses selected for the 2019 edition

MONTRÉAL, March 18, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - The Ville de Montréal, the Conseil des industries durables, in collaboration with the government of Québec and Ellio, have launched the 2019 edition of the Parcours Développement durable Montréal today. This event was held in the presence of Mayor Valérie Plante, as well as government and city representatives, partners of the Parcours, members of the business community, and other important guests.

"We are proud to support, for a second year now, this structuring project that contributes to the city's visibility, namely by reaffirming our image as a city of sustainability, knowledge and innovation. This initiative is also part of the international Women4Climate project, which aims to accelerate women's involvement in addressing issues related to climate change within the C40 Cities Network," declared Valérie Plante, Mayor of Montréal.

"In order to integrate sustainable development principles and to meet the needs of an evolving job market, businesses must be open to reviewing the way they operate, whether in terms of recruitment, human resource management, or the development of competencies. I am proud that my department lends its support to a project that encourages small and medium-sized enterprises all while inspiring others to be proactive in taking on these challenges," said Jean Boulet, minister of Labor, Employment and Social Solidarity, and minister responsible for the Mauricie region.

The Parcours aims to offer 20 small and medium-sized enterprises a mentorship and training process, in order to put forth innovative solutions for sustainable and inspiring business models. Moreover, 10 entrepreneurs from the cohort will receive a mentorship program led by influential women from the Montréal business and political communities, as part of Women4Climate.

The challenges proposed to these businesses – preselected through a rigorous process by Montréal's entrepreneurial network – include all aspects of sustainability, namely environmental, social and economic issues (responsible procurement and impact investment, circular economy, etc.).

As far as the C40 Network Women4Climate program is concerned, the Parcours enables women to strengthen and reaffirm their role in the implementation of sustainable development solutions. In 2018, 10 women leaders of the 15 participating small and medium-sized businesses made up the first Montréal cohort of the Women4Climate mentorship program. For the 2nd edition, in 2019, of the 20 participating businesses, 10 women leaders will be selected to form the second cohort of this prestigious program.

A very successful 2018 edition
The first edition of the Parcours was very successful within the sustainable development business community. Thanks to a unique program combining high-level group courses and on-site workshops about the environmental responsibility program created by the Conseil des industries durables, businesses were able to gain a better understanding of issues related to sustainable development. They are currently implementing innovative, viable and sustainable solutions in order to improve quality of life in our metropolis. They have become vectors of change and will soon be granted Level 1 certification by Ecocert.

Future editions of the Parcours over the next three years will strengthen ties with up-and-coming entrepreneurs, social and environmental innovation experts and create a true community of practice with respect to sustainable development within the business ecosystem.

Thus, between 2018 and 2021, this project will enable the Conseil des industries durables (CID) to provide mentorship to 75 small and medium-sized Montréal enterprises to address 60 sustainability challenges, thereby impacting both the participating businesses and Montréal's socio-economic ecosystem as a whole. Moreover, the 75 businesses will become partners as part of the Sustainable Montréal 2016-2020 Plan, which entails close collaboration with the city in creating the sustainable metropolis to which we aspire.

Businesses selected for the 2019 edition:
Appareil Architecture *
Aptitude X
Chaptec
Cook It *
Delegatus
Derme&Co
Happening
Hotel Monville *
Ilot 84 *
Indygena *
La Corbeille Bordeaux-Cartierville *
Laganière
Nos Architectes *
Ombrages
Omnichem
Prevel *
Taboo *
Toits Vertiges *
Tux
Waterax
* The 10 businesses, selected among these 20 will also be part of the 2^nd cohort of the Women4Climate mentorship program.

This initiative echoes the city's commitments as part of the Paris Agreement, the Sustainable Montréal 2016-2020 Plan, and the 2018-2022 Economic Development Strategy, aiming for Montréal to become carbon-neutral and resilient by 2050, namely by promoting inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

For more information: parcoursddpme.ca

To know more about the Women4Climate initiative: Women4Climate 

SOURCE Ville de Montréal - Cabinet de la mairesse et du comité exécutif

Sources: Geneviève Jutras, Attaché de presse de la mairesse, Cabinet de la mairesse et du comité exécutif, 514 243-1268; Caroline d'Astous, Attachée de presse, Cabinet du ministre du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale et ministre responsable de la région de la Mauricie, 418 803-7563; Renseignements: Camille Bégin, Relationniste, Division des relations médias, 514 872-2921; Relations avec les médias, Direction des communications, Ministère du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale, 418 643-9796