Economic development: Greater Montréal has a lot to be proud of

Montréal International, a driving force for economic prosperity here at home, is the winner of the best economic development organization in the world, an award given by the Washington, D.C.-based International Economic Development Council (IEDC)—the largest membership organization serving economic developers globally.

This is a well-deserved distinction for Montréal International, a promotion agency that has, for nearly 25 years, contributed immensely to the economic success of the Communauté métropolitaine de Montréal’s 82 municipalities. Montréal International’s work has created a real impact—bringing our companies’ investment and job creation projects to fruition.

Before the disruptions of COVID-19, Greater Montréal was in the midst of a remarkable economic boom. In 2018 and 2019, Greater Montréal experienced greater economic growth than any other major metropolitan area in Canada. Montréal, the economic engine of Québec, posted record performances in port, airport, and tourist industries. Foreign investment accompanied by Montréal International also peaked in the metropolis, growing from $1 billion in 2015 to $2.64 billion in 2019; and preliminary data for 2020 shows that Montréal, despite the pandemic, remains an attractive destination for investors.

Investments and top talent

Montréal International stands out for its public/private partnerships, which focus on active participation from all levels of government, post-secondary institutions, and business community leaders. With a majority of the board of directors being from the private sector, Montréal International’s business relationships’ greatly benefit from established credibility and reputation.

Talent scarcity, especially during uncertain times, is an economic issue for many Montréal companies and requires new, innovative strategies to meet the challenge. On this front, Montréal International has developed successful strategies that combine attracting investment, international organizations, workers, and students. Prospecting in various fields is fundamental to the economic growth of Montréal-based companies and requires a high-level of support to navigate the complexity of international markets—support the talented Montréal International team delivers.

A bright economic future

This distinction, along with an economy on solid footing, allows us to envision a successful post-pandemic recovery for Montréal—one supported by the economic development strategy of Québec, which includes doubling foreign investment. Attracting foreign investment has become essential. It generates significant local spin-offs that benefit Québec companies and contributes to the growth of our collective wealth by creating high-quality jobs and attracting talent and capital that is vital to our economic development.

The economic success of Greater Montréal over the next 25 years will depend on our collective mobilization and our ability to amplify our efforts by working hand in hand with Montréal International, the business sector, and government partners to drive our economy forward. While competition between the world’s major cities remains fierce, we foresee Greater Montréal continuing to be a global leader and the destination for innovative industries and top talent.

Jean Laurin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Devencore
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Stéphane Achard, Executive Vice-President – Commercial Banking and Insurance, National Bank of Canada
Raymond Bachand, Strategic Advisor, Norton Rose Fulbright
Francis Baillet, Vice-President Corporate Affairs, Ubisoft
Éric Bédard, Managing Partner, Québec Region, Fasken
Sylvain Boisvert, General manager Canada, Safran
Pierre Cardin, Senior Vice-President and Head of Public Affairs, Airbus
Graham Carr, President and Vice-Chancellor, Concordia University
Guy Cormier, President and Chief Executive Officer, Desjardins Group
Robert Courteau, Executive Vice-President, America, Kontron Canada
Émilie Dussault, Country Head, Technicolor Canada
Charles Emond, President and Chief Executive Officer, CDPQ
Magda Fusaro, Rector, UQAM
Jean-Marc Gagné, Vice-President, Strategic Developments, Thales Canada, Avionics, Thales
Robert Gagné, Director, Center for Productivity and Prosperity, HEC Montréal
Claude Gagnon, President, BMO Financial Group, Québec
François Gagnon, Chief Executive Officer, ÉTS
Cynthia Garneau, President and Chief Executive Officer, VIA Rail Canada
Stéphane Godbout, Managing Director, Regroupement des cégeps de Montréal (RCM)
Stéphanie Grandperret, Chief Operating Officer, NewCities Foundation
Chloé Grysole, Managing Director, Framestore
Anne-Marie J Hubert, C.M., FCPA, FCA, LL.D, Managing Partner, Québec, EY
Fabrice Jaubert, Responsible for Montréal office, Google
Oze Kantürer, Principal HR Specialist, ETIYA CANADA
Faisal Kazi, President and Chief Executive Officer, Siemens Canada
Frank Kollmar, Chief Executive Officer, L’Oréal Canada
Diane Lafontaine, Chief Officer, Quebec, Rise People
Yves Lalumière, President and Chief Executive Officer, Tourisme Montréal
Guy LeBlanc, President and Chief Executive Officer, Investissement Québec
Michel Leblanc, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montréal
Pierre Lemonde, President and Chief Executive Officer, Montréal Council on Foreign Relations
Stéphane Letourneau, Executive Vice-President, Mila
Fréderic Martel, Chief Investment Officer, Claridge
Gaétan Morin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fonds de solidarité FTQ
Pierre Piché, Vice-President, Power Corporation of Canada
Pierre Pilote, Montréal Managing Partner, Gowling WLG
Élise Proulx, Executive Vice-President, Public Affairs and Communications and Chief of Staff, Ivanhoé Cambridge
Rémi Racine, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Producer, Behaviour Interactive
Philippe Rainville, President and Chief Executive Officer, Aéroports de Montréal
Nadine Renaud-Tinker, EMBA, President Quebec Headquarters, RBC Royal Bank
Louise Roy, President of the Board, CIRANO
Mario Sévigny, Vice-President, MSB (Sogeclaire)
Bill Strohecker, Country managing director, Hitachi ABB Power Grids
Philippe A. Tanguy, President, Polytechnique Montréal
Alain Tascan, General Manager, Epic Games
Bernard Tremblay, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fédération des cégeps
Sylvie Vachon, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Port of Montréal
Alain Vallée Ph.D., General Manager, Blue Solutions
Bing Wu, Managing Director, Inossem Canada