The Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal aims to get workers back to three days a week

As the new school year begins, the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal (CCMM) wants to convince workers to return to their workplaces at least three days a week.

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“The balance point we are aiming for is three days a week. It’s too early [l’atteindre] In September, but during the fall, we think it will stabilize at this level for most companies,” explained Michel LeBlanc, president and CEO of CCMM.

Along the same lines, he wants all workers to return to the office on a part-time basis from the beginning of the school year.

“What we’re hoping for is that starting in the fall, we’ll have 100% of people coming to the office at least once a week or two weeks,” Mr. LeBlanc said.

However, Montreal has had to deal with more health restrictions than other metropolises, which, according to him, explains why the teleworking period has been extended. Persuading workers to return to the city center is a big challenge, he said.

“Workers are eager to return, they see the downsides, especially the isolation that teleworking can create. The question of the fallout will be a question of the fluidity of transportation,” Mr. LeBlanc suggested.

On Monday morning, CCMM announced a $2.4 million financial contribution to support six “creative projects” that will improve the downtown area. These are installed in “semi-private” spaces, therefore accessible to the public, such as the esplanade of Place Ville-Marie.

“Personally, none of these projects justifies three days a week. But the joy of being in the city center can justify returning three or four days a week,” he hopes.

A total of 17 companies submitted bids. The six selected projects were chosen based on traffic and impact, their geographic distribution, their duration and, most importantly, the diversity of experiences provided.

Outdoor meeting rooms, an immersive journey inspired by the river in underground Montreal, and “euphoric” murals will see the light of day between fall 2022 and spring 2023.

“We follow this idea that private spaces should not be thick and flat. Montreal creators have proposals to make and if we can facilitate this meeting [avec les propriétaires]There will be creative projects,” said Mr. LeBlanc.