A Window on Westmount Montréal, Ville Marie

A video-clip introduced the topic, showing the orderly and incredibly successful modern society of the 30 year-old nation.

One guest commented on the superior infrastructures. The subway is the best in the world and unlike any other. However, business associates find the ambiance stifling after about a month. The enforcement of law and order in the smallest detail is rigid by almost any standard. Cars are permitted in certain areas only with the right stickers (which are very expensive!). Another commented that the concept of banning cars from parts of a city has been adopted elsewhere and is often thought to be a good idea. Québec has been considering such a ban for the Old Town for years.

Education is very inexpensive, highly valued and equal in opportunity for boys and girls, however it is focused on creating professionals, engineers, accountants, doctors, lawyers. (Similarities to Québec in the 40's and 50's??) Creativity is not encouraged; fine arts education is absent. The free spirits, creative souls, leave the country as they cannot flourish, can hardly exist. But this is changing, the authorities appear to recognize the weaknesses inherent in a society which is too homogeneous and too directed.

A guest who is an actress recounted the difficulties of a friend who had studied drama in Singapore. The culture prevented most of the students from "letting go", showing emotions.

It is a very traditional society. Singaporeans who travel are envious of the freedoms other people have, but they are also proud of many aspects of their own society, including the religious freedom extended to all recognized religions. There does not seem to be a Brain Drain, except perhaps among artists and creative individuals.

Marc Nicholson had visited there in January, commented that it is a phenomenally efficient place, however the real test will be over the next 10 years when we will see how the country has resolved the problems of its staggering growth and whether there will be a more supple approach to society.

Turning to another topic,- Vision Wall -, Greg Clarahan, C.A. CEO. explained that the company is experiencing substantial growth currently, but it is a difficult selling process. The last fiscal year closed with $1million in sales, forecasts are for $40 million this year and $60 million in two years. Local sales (Calgary) are minimal. One key to the predicted growth is the significant distribution network developed in Asia.

Jean Lowe commented that in her understanding, one has to be very careful doing business in China, the right contacts, agents and approvals from authorities are essential.

Bruce Burnett asked about the payback period. Greg Clarahan replied that if a building is designed properly, HVAC requirement is lower and therefore, capital costs go down. In retrofit situations, the efficiencies exist, but there is no cost advantage in removing perfectly good windows to replace them with VisionWall. There was a subsequent huddle between architects, the resident developer and Greg Clarahan, C.A. CEO.

Banks and mergers were next on the list of topics with several individuals expressing concern over the concentration of banking resulting from the two mergers ("Royal Bank of Montreal" and the new "Green CIBC" which may not be environmentally friendly). Banking is an international business, but is necessary restructuring underway? Yes, it is, says one expert. It is likely that Paul Martin will allow the mergers, but under certain conditions which would include opening Canadian markets to foreign banking operations. This still does not help the smaller communities, but these may see a growth in credit unions and their activities.

Editor's Note: [Finance Minister says foreign banks, technology won't fill competition void left by bank mega-mergers]

Another guest commented that his concerns lie with banks' involvement with insurance and investment dealing, possible conflicts of interest. In Switzerland there are already abuses. UBS is becoming the 2nd largest bank in the world. Views are contradictory here. Canadians have split costs of services, thanks to centralizing. One cannot expect to de-centralize and have savings at the same time.

Interest rates The U.S. Government is going to retire $50 B of debt. Debt is going down 5.5%. The concern is that the Japanese will sell U.S. bonds and dollars. Carl Beigie is of the opinion that Alan Greenspan will leave interest rates alone.

Y2K is still a big threat.

Montreal real estate In the eyes of a number of investors, including European and Japanese, Montreal real estate is one of the best markets around and offers remarkable value. There is an intrinsic value of which people are becoming aware. Valuations are below replacement values, but because of the peculiarities of the Cities and Towns Act, Mayors have little or no power to correct the situation. Despite this situation, Montreal values reflect increasing optimism about our future, an optimism which is shared by those involved in the next topic.

Movie-making in Montreal was a sub-theme of the evening.

The presence of both film makers ( Harry Gulkin, Mike Kronish and Bashar Shbib) and actresses ( Sara Bradeen and Susan Eyton-Jones) stimulated a discussion of the possibilities in our city, the financial and creative rewards that come from hosting foreign (particularly U.S.) productions, the technical talent available locally and the pro-active stance of the authorities which includes tax breaks. The diversity of our city's architecture is also a plus. Recently Montreal has served as a stand-in for more exotic locales (Paris, St Petersburg) at various periods of history. The tradition and vibrancy of the French-language film industry was underlined, although, regrettably, Québec films and made-for-TV series do not generally have great success internationally. Government encouragement has been well-placed and welcome. However, the real opportunities for Canadian talent still lie in Los Angeles where the marketplace is so large, funding available for a range of projects, says Bashar Shbib. This explains the presence of a large ex-pat Canadian colony.

Editor's Note: great Bill Brownstein piece in The Gazette, May 2nd on Neil Affleck, a staff director of "The Simpsons" and son of our beloved Betty Anne.

Our host, as usual, took the opportunity to chide Westmount's administration for failing to encourage film productions to avail themselves of our facilities!

Reported by Michael Judson Edited by Diana Thébaud Nicholson Wednesday, April 22nd, we had the immense pleasure of having Marc Nicholson, here from London with Jean Lowe. Being in their last semester at London Business School, they are interested in practically everything, we had the topics varied widely from Singapore (Jean's home) and the (APEC) Asia & Kuala Lumpur economies to the Americas (read up on the Santiago Summit), also Cuba and free trade, a little media, and films with Rafael Zelinski and writer director-producer Bashar Shbib (of several Movies staring our Susan Eyton-Jones) educational and business TV programming,