As part of La Grande Fabrique de résilience territoriale, an initiative launched by the SDC District Central, entrepreneurs agreed to step in front of the camera to talk about their connection to the neighbourhood, their concerns and their desire to help make things better.

Active in the fashion industry, Créations Robo has been operating in District Central’s Acadie sector since 1986.

A true lover of the neighbourhood, President and CEO François Vachon is nevertheless sometimes a little embarrassed to invite clients and suppliers there. He points in particular to the garbage that accumulates in the streets, potholes and inadequate snow removal.

“We want to show the best side of the city,” he says in the video.

He would also like the area to be better served by public transit. There is no shortage of ideas. “A more frequent 179 bus route? Maybe even one that goes all the way to the Orange Line?”

Above all, he is calling for the business community to be consulted regularly whenever changes are being planned, because things are constantly changing.

Shared Concerns

François Vachon’s concerns echo what was frequently heard throughout the collective reflection process of La Grande Fabrique de résilience territoriale.

Among the common findings is that District Central is a historic urban production hub, but faces challenges related to accessibility, mobility, logistics and real estate pressures that directly affect businesses’ ability to operate. Businesses are calling for greater predictability, clarity and integration when it comes to decisions that affect their environment. Moreover, while mutual support, proximity and collaboration are among the territory’s greatest strengths, its resilience still relies heavily on individuals.

These concerns have been heard. The commitments that emerged from the District Central Business Summit on June 9 respond to these issues and have found their place in the Manifesto of La Grande Fabrique. They are championed by Maude Théroux-Séguin, Mayor of Ahuntsic-Cartierville, the business community, property owners and the SDC.

These include, for example, a commitment to ensuring proper maintenance, cleanliness and safety. Other commitments include recognizing District Central as the productive heart of Montréal, removing obstacles to business operations and making urban logistics a priority. Also important is the need to establish shared governance for each project.

Resilience, together

As an importer of European clothing and the creator of the children’s Coccoli brand, Créations Robo has demonstrated resilience over the years and through the various challenges it has faced. For François Vachon, resilience is essential to achieving success in business. But he also likes the idea of coming together to move things forward collectively. “You want to be part of the solution,” he says.

He is not alone. The business community has also embraced the SDC District Central’s initiative. Since the spring, La Grande Fabrique de résilience territoriale has brought together nearly 200 businesses, property owners and local stakeholders through individual interviews, a territorial survey, collaborative workshops and the District Central Business Summit.

He is now eager to see how the commitments set out in the Manifesto will be addressed in the 2027–2030 Territorial Resilience Plan. This will mark the culmination of La Grande Fabrique de résilience territoriale, carried out in 2026.