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Montreal Mayor Laurent Blanchard is pleased to have taken part, alongside Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs John Baird, Quebec Premier Pauline Marois and several other dignitaries, in the opening ceremony of the 38th Session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Assembly.
Conscious of the privilege of being the only Canadian city to host a United Nations agency, Montreal is playing a full part in the success of this event running from September 24 through October 4, 2013. Last spring, as we know, Montreal assumed a key role in ICAO’s lease renewal, which had been jeopardized by a competitive bid from Qatar.
“Montreal, a cosmopolitan city with a window on the world, is honored by the United Nation’s presence here. Very few cities enjoy our international status. The new agreement between Canada and the ICAO will allow us to maintain our excellent relations through 2036. As Mayor of Montreal, I am delighted by this good news. On behalf of all residents, I reiterate our hopes that the ICAO, its staff and family members are happy here,” said Montreal Mayor Blanchard.
Montreal’s Mayor also took the opportunity to announce that the Societe de transport de Montreal (STM) had accepted the city’s request to change the Square-Victoria Metro Station’s identification. OACI [ICAO] banners will now fly above this stop, which serves the Quartier International.” Through this initiative, Montreal’s Mayor sought to demonstrate his gratitude and his pride in being home to the ICAO.
“At the request of Montreal’s Mayor, the STM is making this symbolic gesture by linking the ICAO’s name with that of the Square-Victoria Metro Station, with passages directly to the international agency. While the station’s official name will remain unchanged, it will appear on the platform alongside the new “OACI” designation, which becomes another name for the station. The ICAO thus gains the same status as “Vieux-Montreal,” second name of the Champ-de-Mars station and Parc olympique, also used for the Viau Station,” said Michel Labrecque, Board Chair of the STM.
“This symbolic gesture underscores the ICAO’s importance and highlights Montreal’s international character, while making Montreal residents and metro riders aware that ICAO and the United Nations are present here,” said the Mayor.
