remove erroneous reference montreal quebec capital dec. story sonya dowsett allison lampert madrid/montreal flight businesses catalonia independence crisis draw comparisons quebec french-speaking canadian province deter investors decades-long independence push opinion poll show support pro-independence party 50 percent campaign dec. 21 election begin tuesday enough dampen madrid government hop vote would end volatile standoff secession carry mean chaos say jordi alberich manage director cercle economia business association base catalan capital barcelona happen tremendously serious could get even bad election see pro-independence party de-facto referendum split spain follow ban plebiscite lead clash spanish police protesters oct subsequent dismissal catalan government madrid may propel secessionist force back regional government could end sustain cause thereby put investors long term almost 3,000 firm shift headquarter outside region many madrid mirror flight company quebec montreal toronto first referendum 1980 deliver defeat independence catalan exodus far administrative rather physical company effectively shift domicile brass plate business avoid legal tax complications rather move staff operations fear secession would leave outside euro zone expose uncertain policies possible tax grab new republic burden region exist large debts madrid eager unionist party score clear victory dec. 21 put crisis rest say economic impact short term sign uncertainty already affect longer-term investment decisions contact american investor ask open small office barcelona three four years ago would say yes course say spain country head international investment bank say anymore ... pain inflict independence process scar money away like bankers chief executives decline speak publicly issue divisive speak one side become target criticism abuse spanish government already trim 2018 economic growth forecast 2.3 percent due catalan crisis independent authority fiscal responsibility warn big impact next year resolve tourism region main draw card barcelona slump lead spain first fall retail sales three years spain economy minister recently note strong deceleration catalonia final quarter central bank publish analysis last month base scenarios imply impact range modest dramatic bad case say political uncertainty could cut economic growth 2.5 percentage point end-2017 2019. recent report catalonia history repeat canadian bank rbc capital market compare fallout quebec 1995 referendum deliver narrow defeat independence follow economic decline `` even independence party fall short majority damage may already do `` say catalonia 's december vote graphic tmsnrt.rs/2agbazv spanish region pro-independence camp say pay fair share tax income country 17 regions five-year economic crisis strong economy prop poor areas andalusia murcia big pro-independence party esquerra republicana de catalunya erc dismiss government warn secession would cause economic damage launch campaign focus social issue like house energy poverty quebec independence movement trigger 1960s push french-speakers economic equality lead decline province english-speaking population economic affluence bank company move head offices montreal thrive financial hub canada second-most populous province make economic stride recent years continue lag provinces indicators like household income 1970 1981 pro-sovereignty parti quebecois gain political momentum montreal lose 18,992 head offices resource manufacture service sectors accord 1983 university saskatchewan study canada large life insurance company among leave 1977. politics factor montreal old manufacture economy already face competition toronto relative decline montreal exodus headquarter doubt exacerbate politics solely cause politics say richard shearmur professor mcgill university school urban plan montreal catalan crisis draw interest quebec last week two members catalonia secessionist candidatura unitat popular cup party speak event organise left-leaning quebec opposition party quebec poll show support separation especially among young adults decline catalonia poll show pro-independence party continue command strong support last catalan government make coalition pro-independence party name together yes prop cup lawmakers join government rank opinion poll show pro-independence pro-unity party almost dead heat december election investors see shade quebec catalonia vote