Announcement of the four Great Montrealers 2009: L. Jacques Ménard, Lise
Bissonnette, Dr. Balfour M. Mount, and Sister Nicole Fournier

MONTREAL , Sept. 24 /CNW Telbec/ - The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal has announced the names of the four new Great Montrealers who will be honoured at a reception held this coming November 4 , at UQAM's Complexe des sciences Pierre-Dansereau.

This year, the Great Montrealers are: in the economic sector, L. Jacques Ménard, Chairman of the Board, BMO Nesbitt Burns, and President, BMO Financial Group, Quebec ; in the cultural sector, Lise Bissonnette , writer, journalist, editor, and administrator; in the scientific sector, Dr. Balfour M. Mount , Emeritus Professor of Palliative Medicine; in the social sector, Sister Nicole Fournier , Congregation Secretary, Les Sœurs Grises de Montréal, and former General Director of Accueil Bonneau.

"The Board of Trade hails the exceptional contribution of these four individuals who have distinguished themselves in their respective spheres of activity and have contributed to the city's development. Through their actions and ambitions, Montréal and Quebec as a whole have benefited. We are privileged to be able to count on such remarkable and inspiring role models. Each, in his or her own way, has made a real difference in our society's progress," stated Michel Leblanc , President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal .

Since 1978, 110 personalities have been honoured-including the four this year-and today make up the Academy of Great Montrealers, created by the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal in 1988. Biographies and photos of the laureates can be found on the Board of Trade's Website (www.btmm.qc.ca/09_GM), along with a registration form to take part in this event, which is presented by Hydro-Québec, in a partnership with Canada Economic Development.

The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal has some 7,000 members. Its primary 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], ext. 4015, [email protected]