Word from the President - March 2015

We constantly strive to bring attention to project management and emphasize the benefits brought about by project management best practices. For this reason, PMI-Montréal engaged a lobbyist to work with provincial government institutions starting in 2014.

This idea arose due to the success of similar efforts that PMI had undertaken with the Canadian government as well as the success of the submission made by PMI-Montréal to the Charbonneau Commission. No one is in a better position to defend the interests of project managers than their own professional association.

PMI-Montréal moved ahead with a call for tenders and engaged a public affairs firm called JR Gagnon to guide us in these activities. Our President and our VP of Visibility are on board and will work hard on this important undertaking to bring long-term security to our profession.

We have begun meeting with government decision-makers, approaching them by outlining the importance of project planning to government projects, the importance of preliminary work, and the necessity of entrusting these tasks to experienced project managers who are trained in best practices and equipped to properly manage major projects with the high level of complexity that we often see today.

This is the direction we have chosen for our efforts to engage government organizations that have project management at the front and centre.

MEETINGS IN 2014

MEETING on November 21, 2014 in Montréal

Political Adviser to the Premier’s Office

RESULT:

Interested in working with PMI-Montréal and offered to speak to the Chair of the Treasury Board and the Chair of the Commission de révision permanente des programmes gouvernementaux [Standing Review Committee on Government Programs].

MEETING on December 3, 2014 in the City of Québec

Chief of Staff to the Minister of Municipal Affairs 

RESULT:

The Chief of Staff wants to make the Minister and Deputy Minister aware of best pratices promoted by PMI-Montréal. He would also like certain cities to work closely with PMI-Montréal when it comes to their reorganization efforts and the preparation of major calls for tenders.

MEETING on December 3, 2014 in the City of Québec

Chief Government Whip

RESULT:

The Whip promised to organize a meeting with the senior management of the office of the Chair of the Treasury Board. He is also planning a presentation of PMI-Montréal.

MEETING on December 3, 2014 in the City of Québec

Members of the Executive Council with a strategic role in the government

Deputy Secretary General - Secretariat of the Ministerial Committee on the Economy, Job Creation, and Sustainable Development

RESULT:

The Executive Council wishes to put in place best practices in project management as promoted by PMI-Montréal in the government’s efforts at reform. They believe that the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs should use PMI-Montréal’s member's expertise and services when undertaking reforms.

MEETINGS SO FAR IN 2015

MEETING in the City of Québec on Wednesday, February 18, 2015 at 12:30 p.m.

Deputy Secretary General in charge of the Secrétariat aux priorités et aux projets stratégiques [Secretariat of Priorities and Strategic Projects] in the Office of Premier Philippe Couillard

RESULT:

Promised to present our collaboration offer to the Comité ministériel de Développement économique [Ministerial Committee on Economic Development] and the Treasury Board Secretariat.

MEETING in the City of Québec on Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Deputy Minister in the Office of the Minister of the Economy, Innovation and Exports

RESULT:

The Deputy Minister wants to emphasize PMI-Montréal’s member's expertise during the reorganization of the Ministry of Economic Development and particularly the strategy surrounding exports. He would also like projet management's best pratices to be considered when the government proceeds with investments. (What is the organizational state of the companies we support?)

MEETING in Montréal on Friday, February 27, 2015

MNA for La Fontaine, Office of the Minister of Transportation

Chair of the Committee on Health and Social Services, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Transportation and Minister responsible for the Montréal Region (Greater Montréal)

RESULT:

As a result of PMI-Montréal’s presentation, he wishes to organize meetings with the team of Deputy Ministers at the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Health and Social Services.

MEETING in Montréal on Thursday, March 12, 2015

Political aide in the office of the Ministry of Public Security

RESULT:

Would like to take advantage of PMI’s expertise in areas related to their jurisdiction:

- Sûreté du Québec

- Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux

- École de police de Nicolet

- Reorganization of the penal system

PLANNED MEETINGS

Chief of Staff of the Treasury Board Secretariat  

It has been a pleasant surprise to be given such a warm welcome and to see the level of interest shown in the benefits of sound project management. It is also disappointing that PMI and PMI-Montréal are still so widely unknown within certain ministries and government agencies. We’re told that we are “The best-kept secret in Québec!”

Rest assured that we will continue our efforts to improve the recognition of our profession and our association, and that we will keep you up-to-date concerning our meetings and activities.

Best wishes to all of our members,

Benoit Lalonde, MGP, MBA, ADM.A, PMP, CPM, OPM3, RMP

President, PMI-Montréal