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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.

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The major Canadian cities have again been selected as being among the best for the investors in North America. In October 2002 the Economist Intelligence Unit placed three Canadian cities (Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal) among the best in the world for the expatriate businessmen. Now the multinational real estate company Jones Lang LaSalle** decided that four major urban areas in Canada should be placed among the Top 10 in North America when it comes to a demand for new commercial real estates. The company uses an indicator, showing where the demand for new commercial spaces will be stronger or weaker on percentage basis. In our case in the leading city of Toronto the demand for new spaces will be 23% higher than the average for North America.

Why the Canadian cities are placed so high in the ranking? First of all, according to Jones Lang LaSalle the Canadian economy is expected to perform better than that of the United States in the coming months and years. Second, Canada continues to be a very attractive place for doing business because of the low costs for the investors. Based on this criterion only, the four Canadian cities should occupy the first four places in the ranking. Third, Toronto and Calgary are benefiting from lower tax regimes. Vancouver has also experienced recently a drop in taxes, which automatically improves its position. Fourth, the Canadian cities have good scores in population growth because of the external and internal migration. The population growth factor is especially important because of the aging population across the continent.

1. Toronto, ON - 1.23;
2. Atlanta, GA - 1.17;
3. Las Vegas, NV-AZ - 1.15;
4. Calgary, AB - 1.15;
5. Vancouver, BC - 1.14;
6. Phoenix-Mesa - AZ - 1.14;
7. Houston, TX - 1.14;
8. Dallas, TX - 1.10;
9. Washington, DC-MD-VA-WV - 1.07;
10. Montreal, QC - 1.07.

(Source: Jones Lang LaSalle)

* - Jones Lang LaSalle is a real estate services company, which headquarters are based in Chicago and London. LaSalle Investment Management, owned by Jones Lang LaSalle, provides financial services to institutional and individual investors in real estate. Jones Lang LaSalle and its subsidiaries have more than $22 billion of assets under management. They have 725 million sq.feet under management worldwide.

** - REGI is an indicator of economic activity in 36 North American cities selected on the bases of their size, economic and regional importance.

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See also the directory of companies providing real estate services in, and general real estate information of Canada.