Titled “Plan today, succeed tomorrow: new opportunities to match your ambitions,” the speech focused in particular on the expected benefits of the two master plans announced earlier this year for the southern part of the Saint-Laurent region: the master plan for developing gateway areas and the Hodge-Lebeau master plan.

Against the backdrop of an economic landscape shaped by technological transformations, geopolitical shifts and changes in international markets, the Mayor encouraged the Saint-Laurent business community to look toward the future with confidence and enthusiasm, by focusing on innovation, collaborative efforts and long-term planning.

A shared vision for southern Saint-Laurent

Mayor DeSousa pointed out that the two master plans are based on a shared vision aimed at improving the living environment, strengthening environmental resilience, better connecting neighbourhoods, and supporting innovative economic growth. The result of nearly ten years of deliberation and collaborative efforts with local stakeholders, this vision aims to position Saint-Laurent as an even more attractive location for businesses, talent and investment.

Gateways: A renewed showcase for Saint-Laurent

The Gateways master plan proposes gradually transforming the area located in the southern part of the borough, around the Décarie Interchange (the Décarie Circle), into a greener, more connected and more dynamic living and business environment. Among the proposed initiatives are the creation of a prestigious business district along the highway, the addition of green spaces, the development of local shops and services, the improvement of bike and pedestrian connections as well as better access to the Du Collège metro station.

Ultimately, this sector could provide new housing, large-scale spaces designed for economic activities and a significant labour pool close to local businesses.

Hodge-Lebeau: the first industrial TOD in Québec

The Hodge-Lebeau master plan, the focus of the conference, aims to gradually transform this strategic sector into an innovative, high-performing and better connected industrial hub through the presence of the Côte-de-Liesse REM station.

Mayor DeSousa emphasized that this first industrial TOD in Québec represents a unique opportunity to modernize the business landscape, accelerate the transition to Industry 5.0 and foster new synergies among businesses. The Plan particularly calls for densifying economic activities, improving worker mobility, creating an innovation and economic development hub centred around the REM station and adding public spaces and local services.

The Mayor also emphasized the wide range of opportunities available to property owners and businesses already established in the area. The potential for redevelopment of a number of sites, future bylaw adjustments, the shared use of specified infrastructure and the overall improvement of the urban environment are, in his view, all factors that can stimulate growth and investment.

Innovation and collaborative efforts as driving forces behind prosperity

Throughout his presentation, Alan DeSousa highlighted collaborative efforts among economic stakeholders as one of Saint-Laurent’s greatest strengths. He emphasized the potential for sharing facilities and infrastructure, projects related to the circular economy and energy loops as well as the many support opportunities offered by Excellence industrielle Saint-Laurent.

Key development projects continue to move forward

The Mayor also reiterated the importance of other major projects for the region’s future, such as the future master plan for the Technoparc, the extension of Boulevard Cavendish and the extension of the Orange Line to the Bois-Franc REM station—a project that has received the support of the Mayor of Laval, based on a new study by the Agence régionale de transport métropolitain. These initiatives will ultimately help further strengthen Saint-Laurent’s role as a driving force behind Greater Montréal’s economy.

A call to seize tomorrow’s opportunities

In his closing remarks, Alan DeSousa encouraged entrepreneurs, property owners, developers and investors to embrace the new vision proposed for southern Saint-Laurent and to use it as a catalyst for growth in their future projects. He also encouraged businesses to take advantage of the new markets and economic opportunities emerging at the national and international levels, particularly through the support offered by Excellence industrielle Saint-Laurent.

For the Mayor, the master plans presented this year pave the way for a new generation of projects capable of strengthening innovation, prosperity and the economic influence of Saint-Laurent for decades to come.