Quebec's Hidden Entrepreneurial Spirit

I have a theory about Quebec.

After spending six months examining and studying the Quebec private health care landscape for a business enterprise, it only served to confirm this theory that has been swirling around my head.

My theory? At the heart of it, the Quebecois are an individualistic culture. Littered across this province exist many an artisan making wine and furniture. For some reason, I keep thinking that Quebec's entrepreneurial landscape is somewhat comparable to the one found in Italy - a nation of medium-sized family owned businesses that excel at a chosen specialty. Dynastic entrepreneurs are at the heart of the complex Italian economy.

However, this aspect of the Quebecois personality is not one immediately thinks of. Quebecers have been conditioned to accept the notion of socialism and government-as-employer concept. Nationalization is the game here. Everything revolves around the public sector and very little energy is spent encouraging and nurturing the creative and productive minds that exist on the private side. In Quebec, it all begins and ends with the state. As it stands, unions have more power and influence than jeunes promateurs.

We're one of those businesses. Recently, we decided a grant could go a long way in helping us reach our goals and objectives. How we view ourselves is not necessarily how lenders see things.

Guess what? That's true. There is no money. Nothing. Not at the provincial or federal levels. They give money to stable companies in stable industries or for expansion and capital equipment but not for innovators and pioneers. It took some research but we finally found a place that is willing to listen - of course, it's for a small amount but we'll take it if they are willing to give it.

And you can forget about the banks. The Royal Bank laughably boasts about building relationships one customer at a time and that they help businesses grow and survive. I can guarantee you they would not lend us capital no matter how good our idea is. If they would, they would ask for collateral equal to the money requested which makes the point moot. If I had the money I would not be going to the banks in the first place, right? This ain't It's a Wonderful Life where everyone is as enlightened and spiritual as George Bailey.

When I called the federal government asking about possible grants offered by the government, the customer service agent - after he settled down from laughing so hard - confided to me that it was not politcally expedient to do so. However, there was an option. The government apparently has agreements in place with the banks whereby they encourage banks to lend to small businesses and start-ups. The beauty of the agreement is that the feds would cover up to 85% of the loan.

Given my financial background, I put in some calls to a banker friend. After he stopped laughing as if he was Friar Tuck biting into a piece of chicken, he conferred with his colleagues. There is no agreement in place that they are aware of. So, someone doesn't have their facts straight.

Back to my theory and our business. We soon realized that the private health revolution is being led by two provinces - Quebec and British Columbia. The Quebec case is interesting. Here we are, a supposed collectivist province yet we act as if we have a capitalist libertarian gene. It's not a mistake or coincidence that private health care is evolving here in Quebec at a fast pace.

Possibly more than any province, Quebec has the natural inclination and potential to wrestle Canada from its chosen path of accepted mediocrity. Unleash the province, drop the baby boomer politics and let the true will of its young people reign.

A word on seperation. Quebec in it present construct is not a self-reliant province. The negative consequences to Quebec for leaving the Confederation would possibly run deep and offset any short term positve effects. The idea that a province with high unemployment and other economic weaknesses would able to run off on its own is an unrealistic myth perpetuated by a group revolutionary romantics. A nation without an entrepreneurial base that is capable of creating true wealth (which gives a chance at innovation) is not a nation that can stand on its own two feet. The irony of course, is that once you have your citizens working for themselves their interests and needs will change. I don't see how this would align itself with separation.

I do not make a plea for us to change to benefit separation. I posit the notion of making Quebec truly relevant and stronger not based on race but one that is contigent on the collective spirit and talent of its entire citizenry.

It's time we begin to shift our priorities towards the private sector. They deserve a chance.