Construction plans for the new Shriners Hospital for Children in Montréal
unveiled: a concerted effort shows results

MONTREAL, July 15 /CNW Telbec/ - The Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal welcomes today's announcement by the Shriners confirming the Glen Campus of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC) as the site for the new Shriners Hospital for Children.

"Today we are reaping the fruits of our collective efforts to keep this high-calibre institution in Montréal," said Michel Leblanc, President and CEO of the Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal. "This is excellent news for families, the scientific community and the city's vitality. The choice of Montréal for this new hospital that specializes in pediatric orthopaedics is testimony to the influence the Montréal community has when mobilized."

"These new cutting-edge facilities will provide doctors, scientists and researchers who specialize in child health the means to offer superior quality care," said Michel Leblanc. "And the new strategic location will mean that the Shriners Hospital for Children will be able to work closely with the Montreal Children's Hospital, the MUHC and McGill University. This concentration of Montréal minds will help reinforce the city's role in the life sciences sector."

In 2005, the board of directors of the Shrine of North America had recommended building the new Shriners orthopaedic hospital for children in London, Ontario rather than Montréal. The Board of Trade quickly mobilized the business community, and an influential Montréal coalition was formed for Montréal to keep the hospital here. A major Quebec delegation, which the Board of Trade took part in, went to a Shrine Imperial Session in Baltimore to convince delegates to vote in favour of Montréal.

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, Tel.: [phone], ext. 4015, [email protected]