The SDC du Village de Montréal wishes to transform itself

In the light of the testimonies gathered during an ethnographic report, the Business Development Corporation (SDC) of the Village of Montreal wishes to play a more important role in the socio-economic development of its ecosystem.

Renamed Village Montreal, the SDC, which represents more than 255 entrepreneurs in the sector, wishes to transform its mission in the current context.

That’s why she takes a position in a manifesto concerning issues that currently characterize the social and economic dynamics of the sector.

Since its founding in 2006, the SDC has recognized that it has missed the opportunity to forge close ties with its members and to respond to several other issues of members and clienteles.

“The Village must become a safe, avant-garde and highly inclusive territory where it is good to do business,” says the manifesto.

Findings of the ethnographic study

To understand the challenges of the sector and those of its clientele, Village Montréal has carried out an ethnographic study.

The conclusion that emerges is that the bond of belonging of 2SLGBTQ + communities to the Village is strong.

However, the feeling of security is not there. “We come across situations of human misery on a daily basis. The current role of the police does not sufficiently improve the situation ”, we read in the manifesto.

Village Montreal therefore demands that the City of Montreal and the Government of Quebec deploy abundant specialized preventive resources.

The SDC also requests that these resources be effectively coordinated by all stakeholders in the community, including the police.

She proposed that a task force be set up to study the policies of the City of Vancouver. The latter withdrew social and mental health interventions from the police.

Another finding of the study is that individuals from 2SLGBTQ + communities experience sexual and gender discrimination within the Village itself, as well as sexism, racism and transphobia.

Village Montreal makes several commitments at this level for the social ecosystem to become truly inclusive.

Tangible data

This is the first time that the SDC has worked with such deep, precise and sensitive information, affirms the chairman of the board of directors, JP Loignon.

“A Village that achieves its potential starts with a Village that knows itself better,” he emphasizes. We can finally put into action strategies based on tangible data. ”

According to the anthropologist and co-author of the study report, Méralie Murray-Hall, the consultative approach through ethnography is distinguished by the close relationship it establishes with stakeholders and local communities.

“By going to meet the greatest possible diversity of stakeholders and giving a voice to people rarely heard within the Village itself, our team wanted to offer keys to understanding and highlight innovations that are not a statistical or quantified look. ‘could have grasped with nuance,’ she explains.