NEWS FROM RIGHT HERE
September 3, 2026
2026 Provincial Election – Making District Central’s Voice Heard
On October 5, Quebecers will head to the polls for the 2026 provincial election. This important democratic process provides a valuable opportunity to highlight the issues that directly affect District Central businesses, workers and economic stakeholders.
1. SETTING THE CONTEXT
Against a backdrop of global economic uncertainty, tariff wars, supply chain pressures, rising operating costs, productivity challenges, labour shortages, and the accelerating pace of digital transformation and artificial intelligence, businesses in District Central face significant challenges to remaining competitive.
The provincial election campaign offers SDC District Central an important opportunity to bring the territory’s key issues and the priorities identified by the local business community to the attention of candidates, political parties, members and partners. contribute to the broader conversation on Quebec’s economic development and to reiterate the District Central's strategic role as a driver of innovation, productivity, and economic growth.
2. THE ISSUES AND REQUESTS OF THE SDC DISTRICT CENTRAL
As part of the election campaign, SDC District Central is calling on candidates to address four key issues that are critical to the development of the territory.
Issue 1 : Recognition of District Central as a Strategic Innovation and Productivity Hub
District Central is a unique economic hub in Quebec, where manufacturing, logistics, technology, creative, and processing companies coexist and innovate directly within their day-to-day operations. This diversity fosters a model of applied innovation rooted in production, collaboration, and market proximity. Although it contributes directly to Quebec's competitiveness, this mixed urban hub model receives little recognition in current government programmes. The SDC therefore hopes to see this reality better acknowledged, allowing support mechanisms to be tailored to the needs of major urban economic hubs.
Key Request by the SDC District Central:
Officially recognize District Central as a strategic hub for economic, manufacturing, logistics and technological innovation, and adapt government support mechanisms to better support major mixed-use urban economic ecosystems.
Issue 2 : Mobility, Accessibility and the Impact of Major Construction Projects
District Central is one of northern Montreal’s major employment and economic hubs, generating significant daily movement of workers and goods. However, road congestion, construction-related disruptions, and ongoing and upcoming work on key transportation corridors, particularly the Metropolitan Expressway (A-40), are making travel more difficult and creating uncertainty for businesses.
Despite its proximity to several public transit facilities, the territory also remains insufficiently connected to major transit networks. In this context, mobility and accessibility are essential conditions for supporting District Central’s competitiveness, attractiveness and economic development.
Key Request by the SDC District Central:
Develop a coordinated strategy and long-term plan to sustainably improve mobility and accessibility in District Central, while minimizing the economic impacts of major construction projects on businesses and workers in the territory.
Issue 3 : Support for Urban Manufacturing and Economic Development
District Central remains one of Montreal’s leading urban manufacturing hubs and plays a strategic role in Quebec’s economy. The territory is home to a high concentration of businesses operating in areas such as processing, production, distribution, logistics and local supply chains. These businesses play an essential role in local production, proximity-based supply and job creation.
Against a backdrop of economic challenges, business modernization, international competition and growing pressure on industrial space, maintaining a strong manufacturing and logistics presence within an urban environment nevertheless represents a strategic priority for Montreal’s and Quebec’s economies.
Key Request by the SDC District Central:
Actively support the modernization, competitiveness and continued operation of strategic manufacturing and logistics activities in urban areas.
Issue 4 : Workforce, Economic Immigration and Competitiveness
District Central is home to more than 2,100 businesses operating in key sectors of Quebec’s economy, including manufacturing, retail, design, fashion, logistics and professional services. The territory continues to face persistent challenges in recruiting and retaining workers, particularly for technical and specialized positions. Businesses also rely on workers from economic immigration to support their growth and maintain their operations.
In this context, access to a skilled workforce, along with stable and predictable workforce and immigration policies, are essential to District Central’s competitiveness and economic development.
Key Request by the SDC District Central:
Ensure stable, predictable workforce and economic immigration policies aligned with strategic sectors, while helping retain and employ workers already established in the territory.
3. COMMITMENTS BY THE PARTIES
The SDC will invite the major political parties in the running to respond to the priorities outlined above. Their responses will be shared during the week of September 21.
4. ELECTORAL MEETINGS AND CANDIDATE FORUMS IN DISTRICT CENTRAL
The SDC will be organizing meetings with candidates in the coming weeks. More details to follow.
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