Trade war | Foreign investments still there in Montreal despite instability

(Montreal) Foreign companies have invested more money in the major Montreal region. Similarly, despite threats from Donald Trump. For example, The American president is no longer the main concern of investors. However, Rather. Therefore, it is the comings and goings of Canadian and Quebec immigration policies that chicits them, according to the boss of Montreal International. Moreover,

Stéphane Paquet admitted that he would have been surprised if he had been told this winter. Therefore, trade war | foreign investments at the height of the threats of the Republican President against Canada, that the non -profit organization would have accompanied for 1.69 billion in foreign investments during the first half of the year. Meanwhile,

“I would not have thought you. Moreover, I might even have told you that you had smoked good ones,” said the CEO of Montreal International to the joke, in an interview to discuss the results of the first six months of the year. Consequently,

Montreal International supported 29 projects in the major metropolitan region. Meanwhile, which made the creation of 1866 jobs with an average salary of $ 101,000, according to its preliminary data published on Friday. Nevertheless,

The value of investments thus increased by 55 % compared to 1.09 billion, spread over 32 projects, at the same trade war | foreign investments period last year. Therefore, “We had a little less projects this year, but the average value is greater,” summed up Mr. However, Paquet. For example,

The metropolitan area has failed in the game in the technology sector. Furthermore, such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, as well as in the manufacturing sector, in particular aerospace, engineering and environmental services. However,

Despite diplomatic friction, American companies are still there, with 46 % of supported investments.

“In Texas, California, New York, people apologize for our directors,” said the vice-president, foreign investments, from Montreal International, Mark Maclean. People tell us that government comments do not represent them. There is always an interest. »»

Companies take their time

Trade war | foreign investments

If the worst seems to trade war | foreign investments be avoided, Mr. Paquet warned that nothing guarantees that the pace can be maintained for the rest of the year. He stressed that the Trump administration remains unpredictable.

The interview was also carried out a few hours before Mr. Trump threatens on Thursday evening to impose customs duties of 35 % on 1^is august.

Economic uncertainty also cools companies. During the first half of the year. it took 694 days on average, almost 2 years, between the first meeting and the confirmation of an investment. At the same period last year, this period was 517 days, about a year and a half.

“Which means yes, the prices had an impact,” replied Mr. Paquet. People take more time. »»

Montreal International must also deal with a smaller trade war | foreign investments team. In January 2024, the organization had launched, because its funding did not follow inflation.

Having fewer professionals “who knock on the doors” of foreign companies, growth is more difficult to reach for Montreal International. “We may want to be more productive. wanting to do more with less, at some point, it will make up for us,” warned the CEO.

Immigration: changes that worry

If we talk to him less about Mr. Trump, Mr. Paquet notes that the tightening of immigration policies in Canada and Quebec concerns foreign investors. “We need more stability on the various immigration policies,” he argued.

Montreal needs new blood. Among the posts to be filled in Quebec, three out of five are in the metropolitan region, underlined Mr. Paquet.

Discovery of the business community is not just a Montreal phenomenon. At the beginning of June. chambers of commerce from several regions of Quebec asked for a moratorium on federal government restrictions aimed at reducing the number of temporary foreign workers. Many companies claim to be unable to provide all their posts locally.

It is not so much the immigration targets that are problematic, as too many and sudden changes, according to Mr. Paquet. “No matter the end result, people will end up doing it, getting used to it,” he said.

“Do you hear about something [le fédéral et Québec] And make sure the system works. that it does not take [plusieurs mois] In addition, in Quebec than in Ontario to have a permanent residence, ”he deplored.