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Simeon Mitropolitski is a Canadian analyst, of Bulgarian origin, and a former syndicated columnist with the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA). He is the author of several hundred articles dealing with hot political and economic topics, both national and international.
He was part of the first group of Bulgarian intellectuals and students that began the opposition movement that finally put an end to the communist regime in this country in 1989, and in 1996-1997 participated in international observation teams during the elections in several Balkan countries - Romania, Albania and Bulgaria.
In 2002 Simeon and his family moved from Bulgaria to Canada where they live now in Montreal, province of Quebec. Simeon is a Master of Political Science from McGill University and a B.A. of Political Science and History.
Global Real Estate Project
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Quebec: After old referendum, before new referendumQuebec remembers 10 years after its second, but as it may appear, not a last referendum on independence. Less than 60,000 votes then decided the fate of the project. Similar number can make difference next time citizens are called to take part in referendum. Will we witness the birth of a new state in North America? When this can happen? What this new state may look like? Separatist camp, or "sovereignists", as they prefer to be called, are very vague in their promises as to what people in Quebec should expect when this province become independent country. The opposite camp, the "federalists", isn't clearer on that issue, for it the outcome will range from bad to worse. Having a new state taking control over Saint-Lawrence seaway system between Atlantic Ocean and Great Lakes will be an event significant enough to ask several questions about the probability of this project and the nature of this new state.
Is it possible? And when?Parti Quebecois or PQ (Quebecers' Party) is a driving political force behind the project of independence and it's in opposition now. It may return to power as early as next year if the current prime minister decides to call early parliament election. Ruling Liberal party of Quebec is now given weak support in the province so it seems foolish for it to call election only to lose power. But election should be called in any case by 2008. No matter how big or small is PQ majority its government will call a referendum on independence. Depending on election date it may happen at any time between 2007 and 2009.Technically speaking, it's possible to find a referendum question that will satisfy Ottawa as "clear" and at the same time will get majority among population. It will be more difficult to find such question now than in 1995, but it isn't completely impossible. Why it's more difficult now? Demographic crisis makes native francophone majority shrinking, and separatist hard core is getting relatively smaller. Native francophone majority is getting older, and older people are known to be more conservative. Questions like "Who will pay for my retirement rent?" become as much important as "Will my country be part of a larger federation or not?" Quebec may have another referendum by 2009 and this referendum may be successful, but it won't solve all questions, at least it won't make Quebec population younger. Quite to the contrary, "Yes" vote will creates new problems.
What will be the answer for Ottawa and for the world?In order to predict what will happen next in case of successful referendum, it's important to predict what will Ottawa do? It isn't unimportant also to put on balance what will world community of states do? As in the chess game the possible combinations are so many that nobody could even enumerate them all. From total rejection of any idea of separation and total ostracism of Quebec from the world community of states to acceptance of independence by Ottawa and Quebec quickly joining UN, all possible statements, combinations and internal nuances are possible. It may be a soft divorce like in Czechoslovakia; it may produce a bloody separation like in Yugoslavia.Several questions may be put on the table: Who will control Saint-Lawrence seaway system between Atlantic Ocean and Great Lakes, where major stakeholder is the United States? Who will own Quebec big North with its immense resources? Will first nations stay in Quebec or "move" to Canada with their ancestral lands? What will be the fate of those who won't support independence? Will they "move" to Canada together with first nations or stay, and on what conditions? Quebec may become an independent state but its future looks murky. It may be bright on condition that the new state succeeds in preserving its territorial integrity, integrates ethnic minorities into new society defined not by language but by common civic culture, and doesn't try to take away social and political right people are accustomed to as Canadian citizens. Any departure from these preconditions may lead to disastrous outcomes. Losing territories may deprive Quebec from its natural resources and its industrial base. Attacking people's rights and freedoms may lead to mass exodus, to ethnic conflicts, to worst economic depression seen since the Great Depression of 1930s or to a combination of all these factors. To sum up, democracy not only creates conditions for prosperity, but also makes citizens responsible for their acts. Depending on what these acts will be, Quebec may remain relatively prosperous political and economic unity, no matter as an independent state or as a province within Canada, or it may fall into oblivion. Being a Canadian province doesn't mean being rich and prosperous as Atlantic Provinces may witness. Opting to go outside Canada however won't be a panacea either.
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See also the directory of companies providing real estate services in, and general real estate information of Quebec, Canada.
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