GMCDI In the News

 For Immediate Release – Thursday April 5, 2007 
 

For additional information, please contact:
 
Eric Lamoureux
Québec Community Groups Network (QCGN)
T: (514) 868-9044 ext. 223
C: (514) 702-1203
E: communications@qcgn.ca
 

The Greater Montreal Community Development Initiative Public Forum gives English-speaking Quebecers a voice
 
 
Montreal, Quebec - Residents of the Greater Montreal Area will meet in downtown Montreal on Wednesday, April 11, 2007 to voice their opinions on the future of the English-speaking minority communities of the Greater Montreal Area: Laval, the West Island, the South Shore, Montreal East and Montreal Centre.
 
“80% of the province’s English-speaking community lives in the Greater Montreal Area, and many have expressed a need to voice their concerns about the development of their community and society at large. The Greater Montreal Community Development Initiative (GMCDI) was undertaken in response to this need. Through a series of consultations culminating in the Public Forum, we will collect the opinions and concerns of our community and then present the findings in a report to the public and all levels of government.” said GMCDI Steering Committee Chair Don Taylor.
 
The Public Forum will be held from 6:30 to 9:30 pm on April 11 at the Verdun Room of the Hilton Bonaventure Hotel in downtown Montreal, located at 900 rue de la Gauchetière West. During this time, members of the English-speaking community will be asked to share their experiences, insights and suggestions for enhancing the vitality of their communities on six critical subjects identified by the GMCDI: Demographics; Education; Health and Social Services; Economic Development and Employment; Arts, Culture and Heritage; and Social Participation. Research-based discussion documents on these subjects are available on the Greater Montreal Community Development Initiative website at www.qcgn.ca/greatermontrealinitiative.
 
The information and strategies gathered at the five(5) Community Forums, the six(6) Sector Panels as well as the April 11th  Public Forum will be analyzed by Integrated Panels. Their findings will form the content of the Final Report that will be released in Summer 2007. The Final Report will be distributed to QCGN members, the Department of Canadian Heritage, other levels of government and the community at-large on www.qcgn.ca
 
 
GMCDI: A grassroots initiative
 
The GMCDI is a grassroots initiative designed by and overseen by a volunteer Steering Committee composed of representatives of the English-speaking communities of Laval, the West Island, the South Shore, Montreal East and Montreal Centre. These community leaders manage all aspects of the project, with the collaboration of the Quebec Community Groups Network, a cross-Quebec English-language community organizations network.
 
‘‘Not in a long time has it been so important for English-speakers to play an active role in public life. Every community member who participates in the GMCDI Public Forum, or e-mails their comments to us at gmcdi@qcgn.ca, strengthens the mandate of this project to determine the future of the English-speaking communities of the Greater Montreal Area. This is first and foremost an initiative by the people, for the people” said QCGN Director General, Sylvia Martin-Laforge.