Themes, tags, keywords and great projects

Pressure the provincial and federal governments to get on with this much-delayed project and establish, as quickly as possible, a rail shuttle between downtown and the Montréal-Trudeau International Airport. In the meantime, provide an express public bus service to the airport.

Contribute to the realization of a very high speed train (TGV) service between Quebec City and Chicago (via Trois-Rivières, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Windsor and Detroit) and between Quebec City and Washington (via Trois-Rivières, Montreal, Boston, New York and Philadelphia). To this end, mobilize a coalition of mayors from these cities to plan the corridors as well as the train stations and put pressure on the regional and national governments to get this project underway as quickly as possible.

Define and begin the Entrée maritime de Montréal project, affecting 2,500 metres of river shoreline in Montreal (from Bonsecours Street to Cuvillier Street, approximately), the eastern tip of Ile Sainte-Hélène, and the corresponding section of seaway in Longueuil. In total, there are 150 hectares of land for redevelopment. This project will maximize the population's access to the river, concurrently allowing for several thousand new houses, businesses and public facilities. The eastern tip of Ile Sainte- Hélène will be reserved for a prestigious structure, in the manner of the Sydney Opera House in Australia. This project will in no way hinder future development of the Port of Montreal.

Since the New Tramway will be the principle mode of transit service to this new Montreal neighbourhood, the Entrée maritime de Montreal project will put an end to attempts to transform Notre-Dame Street into an urban highway. In its place, Projet Montréal proposes a true urban boulevard.

Uphold the residential status that allows small tourist inns to thrive, on three conditions:

• The tourist inn must be recognized by the Ministère du Tourisme du Québec;
• The inn must include at least five units;
• The owner must physically occupy the premises (live-in owner).

Providing these three conditions are respected, the inns will be classified as residential buildings. This exception makes it possible for these small neighbourhood tourist lodgings to exist. They reinforce the friendly character of Montreal and add to the variety of lodging available. Inns in buildings that do not respect the above-mentioned criteria will be classified as commercial.

Maintain and develop the capacity to host international events.

Actively promote Montreal's status as a capital of new media. With its Cité du Multimédia and a panoply of events relating to new media, Montreal is a major player in the virtual world. The City of Montreal will initiate a contest that creates a real-time link between some of the world's cultural metropolises, such as Barcelona, Paris, London, Venice, Berlin or New York.

Make Montreal the North American capital of open-source software (freeware) by capitalizing on the strength of its information technology industry, the diversity of its cultural communities, and the importance of the City of Montreal's investments in information technology. This industry is currently at a turning point — not a month goes by without a government or a public administration (United Kingdom, Brazil, Netherlands, Malaysia, India, etc.) announcing its decision to favour the use of open- source software. The steps to be taken are as follows:

• Favour open-source software and standards in municipal operations and activities;
• Promote the development of open-source software for municipalities. Follow the example of ADDULACT in France and create a web site dedicated to this type of software in partnership with interested municipalities in order to share development costs;
• Participate in important international events that promote open-source software.

Enhance Montreal’s status as a UNESCO-designated City of Design by hosting an important biennial international conference on architecture and urban design. Provide a showcase for research and expertise on the redevelopment of cities in accordance with twenty-first century priorities. Position Montreal at the North American vanguard of architecture, urban and territorial planning and design.

Further Montreal’s involvement with and active contribution to international networks and cultural heritage alliances: World Historical Cities, Creative Cities, United Cities and Local Governments, etc.

Start preparations to celebrate Montreal’s 375th anniversary in 2017, exactly fifty years after Man and his World. For example, promote exchanges of a historical and cultural nature with the thirty or so North American cities founded by the first citizens of Montreal. Establish a program of public art by artists from Montreal and across Quebec.