Plan emploi métropole: The government takes an innovative approach to the
challenges facing businesses

MONTREAL, Nov. 5 /CNW Telbec/ - The Minister of Employment and Social Solidarity, Ms. Julie Boulet, announced the creation of the Conseil emploi métropole during a meeting organized by the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal and the Direction régionale d'Emploi-Québec de l'Île-de-Montréal. The Minister took advantage of the occasion to sign two partnership agreements between her department and the Board of Trade.

"Employment is a key issue as we begin a still fragile recovery. We therefore enthusiastically welcome the Minister's approach. The city's challenges are finally being tackled as a whole and not by five different administrative regions. Today's discussions have been productive, and Ms. Boulet and her team's willingness to listen shows that the government is ready to strengthen the labour market in the city," declared Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade.

Close to 200 representatives of the business community were able to discuss the Plan emploi métropole's approach, and share the views of their respective businesses on such subjects as workforce mobility, the integration of immigrants, skill development, and the offer of job-related government services.

"The mobilization of the individuals in attendance here today is important in order to ensure better manpower training and employment integration. The Conseil emploi métropole will enable this mobilization to continue. We believe that this type of collaboration between the government and businesses is key to the success of economic development strategies," added Mr. Leblanc.

This event also provided an opportunity for the Department of Employment and Social Solidarity and the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal to conclude two partnership agreements. The first concerns the creation of a one-stop provider of government services for businesses in Montréal, while the second contributes to the establishment of an approach based on internships and the development of professional networks to support new immigrants seeking employment. "These two agreements are flexible tools that allow us to adequately meet the various needs of businesses and immigrants," stated Michel Leblanc.

The President of the Board of Trade concluded the meeting by declaring: "With the Plan emploi métropole, we welcome the government's efforts to create a plan covering the metropolitan region as a whole. Remember that the report entitled A city that lives up to our aspirations, commissioned by the Board of Trade, made a recommendation to the government for the better coordination of policies in the metropolitan region as a whole."

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.

For further information:

Sylvie Paquette
Coordinator, Media Relations
Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal
Phone: [phone], extension 4015
[email protected]c.ca