Empire Club of Canada
Encyclopedia
The Empire Club of Canada is a Canadian speakers' forum. Established in 1903, the Empire Club has provided a forum for over 3,500 speakers.
Through a variety of presentation formats, the Empire Club invites local, national and international leaders and other change-agents to address the topical issues of the day.
The club is based in Toronto
and holds most of its breakfast or luncheon discussions on Thursdays.
, a similar organization. The catalyst for the formation of the Empire Club of Canada was the Alaska Boundary Dispute
which was resolved by an ad hoc International Boundaries Tribunal in October 1903. The tribunal
, consisting of three U.S., one British and two Canadian members, voted 4 to 2 in favour of awarding a large strip on the Pacific coast of Canada (later known as the Alaska Panhandle
) to the United States.
While, in some circles at that time, there were strong proponents for greater independence of Canada, a prominent group of local leaders felt there was a need for a new organization that would support the British Empire
, as it was felt it would be beneficial to Canada to keep strong political and economic ties with the Empire.
A group of men gathered to draft the constitution for a new club to be named The Empire Club of Canada. This organization, with a plan of weekly luncheons, which would be addressed by prominent individuals who spoke with authority on the issues of the day, and would also have the distinctive basis of the British connection in its work and policy.
Membership was restricted to British subjects—there was no legal Canadian citizenship at the time—who would pay dues of one dollar a year, with a maximum membership of 500. Within a month, membership exceeded 300. A year or two later, the club had a waiting list of those wishing to join. The first luncheon speaker on December 3, 1903 was a clergyman and professor, William Clark
, who said: "I can quite understand that to many persons, the formation of a club of this kind will seem a very little thing, ... I have not the least doubt that this Club will become of great influence and power in this Dominion".
, consulates and embassies.
Registered as a charity, it objectives are to promote the interest in current and public affairs
and to establish a historical database of all Empire Club speeches. All Empire Club speeches since 1903 are available via the Empire Club website. In 2010 John Koopman was appointed the Chair of the Empire Club Foundation.
Through a variety of presentation formats, the Empire Club invites local, national and international leaders and other change-agents to address the topical issues of the day.
The club is based in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
and holds most of its breakfast or luncheon discussions on Thursdays.
Notable speakers
Some highly notable speakers who have addressed the Empire Club podium have included:- Indira GandhiIndira GandhiIndira Priyadarshini Gandhara was an Indian politician who served as the third Prime Minister of India for three consecutive terms and a fourth term . She was assassinated by Sikh extremists...
- Brian MulroneyBrian MulroneyMartin Brian Mulroney, was the 18th Prime Minister of Canada from September 17, 1984, to June 25, 1993 and was leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Canada from 1983 to 1993. His tenure as Prime Minister was marked by the introduction of major economic reforms, such as the Canada-U.S...
- The Dalai Lama
- Margaret ThatcherMargaret ThatcherMargaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
- Bill GatesBill GatesWilliam Henry "Bill" Gates III is an American business magnate, investor, philanthropist, and author. Gates is the former CEO and current chairman of Microsoft, the software company he founded with Paul Allen...
- Audrey HepburnAudrey HepburnAudrey Hepburn was a British actress and humanitarian. Although modest about her acting ability, Hepburn remains one of the world's most famous actresses of all time, remembered as a film and fashion icon of the twentieth century...
- John DiefenbakerJohn DiefenbakerJohn George Diefenbaker, PC, CH, QC was the 13th Prime Minister of Canada, serving from June 21, 1957, to April 22, 1963...
- Ronald ReaganRonald ReaganRonald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
- Margaret MeadMargaret MeadMargaret Mead was an American cultural anthropologist, who was frequently a featured writer and speaker in the mass media throughout the 1960s and 1970s....
- Prince PhilipPrince Philip, Duke of EdinburghPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch....
- Winston ChurchillWinston ChurchillSir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
- Billy GrahamBilly GrahamWilliam Franklin "Billy" Graham, Jr. is an American evangelical Christian evangelist. As of April 25, 2010, when he met with Barack Obama, Graham has spent personal time with twelve United States Presidents dating back to Harry S. Truman, and is number seven on Gallup's list of admired people for...
- Vladimir PutinVladimir PutinVladimir Vladimirovich Putin served as the second President of the Russian Federation and is the current Prime Minister of Russia, as well as chairman of United Russia and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of Russia and Belarus. He became acting President on 31 December 1999, when...
- Pierre TrudeauPierre TrudeauJoseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,...
- Grey OwlGrey OwlGrey Owl was the name Archibald Belaney adopted when he took on a First Nations identity as an adult...
- Henry N.R. Jackman
- Jean ChrétienJean ChrétienJoseph Jacques Jean Chrétien , known commonly as Jean Chrétien is a former Canadian politician who was the 20th Prime Minister of Canada. He served in the position for over ten years, from November 4, 1993 to December 12, 2003....
- Hilary WestonHilary WestonHilary M. Weston , CM, O.Ont was the 26th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, serving from 1997 to 2002. During her five year tenure, Mrs...
- Maureen ForresterMaureen ForresterMaureen Kathleen Stewart Forrester, was a Canadian operatic contralto.-Life and career:Maureen Forrester was born and grew up in a poor section of Montreal, Quebec. She was one of four children to Thomas Forrester, a Scottish cabinetmaker, and his Irish-born wife, the former May Arnold. She...
- Roberta BondarRoberta BondarRoberta Bondar,is OC, O.Ont, FRCP, FRSC is Canada's first female astronaut and the first neurologist in space. Following more than a decade as NASA's head of space medicine, Bondar became a consultant and speaker in the business, scientific and medical communities.-Education:Roberta Bondar had...
- Adrienne ClarksonAdrienne ClarksonAdrienne Louise Clarkson is a Canadian journalist and stateswoman who served as Governor General of Canada, the 26th since Canadian Confederation....
- Paul MartinPaul MartinPaul Edgar Philippe Martin, PC , also known as Paul Martin, Jr. is a Canadian politician who was the 21st Prime Minister of Canada, as well as leader of the Liberal Party of Canada....
- Stephen HarperStephen HarperStephen Joseph Harper is the 22nd and current Prime Minister of Canada and leader of the Conservative Party. Harper became prime minister when his party formed a minority government after the 2006 federal election...
- Michael IgnatieffMichael IgnatieffMichael Grant Ignatieff is a Canadian author, academic and former politician. He was the leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and Leader of the Official Opposition from 2008 until 2011...
History
Many early members of the Empire Club and previously been affiliated with the Canadian Club of TorontoCanadian Club of Toronto
The Canadian Club of Toronto is a club in Toronto which meets several times a month to hear lunchtime speeches given by invited guests from the fields of politics, law, business, the arts, the media, and other prominent fields....
, a similar organization. The catalyst for the formation of the Empire Club of Canada was the Alaska Boundary Dispute
Alaska Boundary Dispute
The Alaska boundary dispute was a territorial dispute between the United States and Canada . It was resolved by arbitration in 1903. The dispute had been going on between the Russian and British Empires since 1821, and was inherited by the United States as a consequence of the Alaska Purchase in...
which was resolved by an ad hoc International Boundaries Tribunal in October 1903. The tribunal
Tribunal
A tribunal in the general sense is any person or institution with the authority to judge, adjudicate on, or determine claims or disputes—whether or not it is called a tribunal in its title....
, consisting of three U.S., one British and two Canadian members, voted 4 to 2 in favour of awarding a large strip on the Pacific coast of Canada (later known as the Alaska Panhandle
Alaska Panhandle
Southeast Alaska, sometimes referred to as the Alaska Panhandle, is the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Alaska, which lies west of the northern half of the Canadian province of British Columbia. The majority of Southeast Alaska's area is part of the Tongass National Forest, the United...
) to the United States.
While, in some circles at that time, there were strong proponents for greater independence of Canada, a prominent group of local leaders felt there was a need for a new organization that would support the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
, as it was felt it would be beneficial to Canada to keep strong political and economic ties with the Empire.
A group of men gathered to draft the constitution for a new club to be named The Empire Club of Canada. This organization, with a plan of weekly luncheons, which would be addressed by prominent individuals who spoke with authority on the issues of the day, and would also have the distinctive basis of the British connection in its work and policy.
Membership was restricted to British subjects—there was no legal Canadian citizenship at the time—who would pay dues of one dollar a year, with a maximum membership of 500. Within a month, membership exceeded 300. A year or two later, the club had a waiting list of those wishing to join. The first luncheon speaker on December 3, 1903 was a clergyman and professor, William Clark
William Robinson Clark
William Robinson Clark FRSC was a Scottish-Canadian theologian. He was born in Daviot, Aberdeenshire, son of James Clark. Originally educated for the Congregationalist ministry at New College London, he later conformed to the Church of England. After graduating from King's College, Aberdeen MA...
, who said: "I can quite understand that to many persons, the formation of a club of this kind will seem a very little thing, ... I have not the least doubt that this Club will become of great influence and power in this Dominion".
The Empire Club Foundation
The Empire Club Foundation was incorporated in January 1969 and serves as a vehicle for the publication and wide-distribution of the annual compilation of speeches. Copies are sent to a large distribution of schools, librariesLibrary
In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...
, consulates and embassies.
Registered as a charity, it objectives are to promote the interest in current and public affairs
Public administration
Public Administration houses the implementation of government policy and an academic discipline that studies this implementation and that prepares civil servants for this work. As a "field of inquiry with a diverse scope" its "fundamental goal.....
and to establish a historical database of all Empire Club speeches. All Empire Club speeches since 1903 are available via the Empire Club website. In 2010 John Koopman was appointed the Chair of the Empire Club Foundation.
Past Presidents
As of 2010, the President of the Empire Club is Tim Reid. Others have included:| Year | President | Year | President |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1903–1905 | Brig. Gen. The Hon. James Mason | 1905–1906 | Rt. Rev. William Clark William Robinson Clark William Robinson Clark FRSC was a Scottish-Canadian theologian. He was born in Daviot, Aberdeenshire, son of James Clark. Originally educated for the Congregationalist ministry at New College London, he later conformed to the Church of England. After graduating from King's College, Aberdeen MA... |
| 1906–1907 | J.P. Murray | 1907–1908 | J.F.M. Stewart |
| 1908–1909 | D.J. Coggin | 1909–1910 | Elias Clouse |
| 1910–1911 | J. Castell Hopkins | 1911–1912 | F.B. Featherstonhaugh |
| 1912–1913 | Rt. Rev. James F. Sweeny James Fielding Sweeny James Fielding Sweeny was an Anglican bishop. He was the 4th Bishop of Toronto and Archbishop of Ontario, He was born in London, England on November 15, 1857, the son of Lt. Col... |
1913–1914 | The Hon. Mr. Justice James Craig |
| 1914–1915 | Lt. Col. R.J. Stuart | 1915–1916 | Albert Ham |
| 1916–1917 | James Black Perry | 1917–1918 | Norman Sommerville |
| 1918–1919 | F.J. Coombs | 1919–1920 | R.A. Stapells |
| 1920–1921 | Arthur Hewitt | 1921–1922 | Brig. Gen. C.H. Mitchell |
| 1922–1923 | Sir William Hearst | 1923–1924 | Elias H. Wilkinson |
| 1924–1925 | William Brooks | 1925–1926 | Rev. N.R. Burns |
| 1926–1927 | Col. A.E. Kirkpatrick | 1927–1928 | Col. Alexander Fraser |
| 1928–1929 | Robert H. Fennell | 1929–1930 | Hugh S. Eayrs |
| 1930–1931 | John D.M. Spence | 1931–1932 | H.G. Stapells |
| 1932–1933 | Col. The Hon. George A. Drew | ||
| 1933–1934 | Major James Baxter | 1934–1935 | The Hon. Mr. Justice Dana H. Porter Dana Porter Dana Harris Porter was a Canadian politician and jurist.After graduating from the University of Toronto in 1921, Porter went to England to continue his studies at Balliol College, Oxford from which he graduated with a Master's degree in 1923... |
| 1935–1936 | J.H. Brace | 1936–1937 | Major G.B. Balfour |
| 1937–1938 | Major R.M. Harcourt | 1938–1939 | J.P. Pratt |
| 1939–1940 | F.A. Gaby | 1940–1941 | The Hon. G. Howard Ferguson Howard Ferguson George Howard Ferguson, PC was a Conservative politician and the ninth Premier of Ontario, Canada, from 1923 to 1930.-Background:He was the son of Charles Frederick Ferguson who served in the Canadian House of Commons... |
| 1941–1942 | C.R. Sanderson | 1942–1943 | John C.M. MacBeth |
| 1943–1944 | W. Eason Humphreys | 1944–1945 | Charles R. Conquergood |
| 1945–1946 | Eric F. Thompson | 1946–1947 | Major F.L. Clouse |
| 1947–1948 | Tracey E. Lloyd | 1948–1949 | T.H. Howse |
| 1949–1950 | H.C. Colebrook | 1950–1951 | Sydney Hermant |
| 1951–1952 | D.H. Gibson | 1952–1953 | John W.F. Griffin |
| 1953–1954 | Arthur E.M. Inwood | 1954–1955 | James H. Joyce |
| 1955–1956 | C.C. Goldring | 1956–1957 | Donald H. Jupp |
| 1957–1958 | LCol. W.H. Montague | 1958–1959 | MGen. B.J. Legge |
| 1959–1960 | Harold R. Lawson | 1960–1961 | Hon. Alexander Stark |
| 1961–1962 | Dr. Z.S. Phimister | 1962–1963 | Dr. J. Palmer Kent |
| 1963–1964 | Major Arthur J. Langley | 1964–1965 | Col. Robert H. Hilborn Robert Hilborn Falls Admiral Robert Hilborn Falls, was Chief of Defence Staff of the Canadian Forces from 1977 to 1980.-Military career:... |
| 1965–1966 | Col. E.A. Royce | 1966–1967 | R. Bredin Stapells |
| 1967–1968 | B. Graham M. Gore | 1968–1969 | Edward B. Jolliffe |
| 1969–1970 | H. Ian Macdonald H. Ian Macdonald Hugh Ian Macdonald, OC, KLJ is a Canadian economist, civil servant, and was President of York University from 1974 to 1984.... |
1970–1971 | H.V. Cranfield |
| 1971–1972 | The Hon. Henry N.R. Jackman | 1972–1973 | Maj. The Hon. Mr. Joseph H. Potts |
| 1973–1974 | Robert L. Armstrong | 1974–1975 | Sir Arthur R.T. Chetwynd |
| 1975–1976 | H. Allan Leal Allan Leal Herbert Allan Borden Leal, OC, QC was a Canadian civil servant and academic. He was Deputy Attorney General of Ontario, Dean of Osgoode Hall Law School, and Chancellor of McMaster University.... |
1976–1977 | William M. Karn |
| 1977–1978 | Peter Hermant | 1978–1979 | MGen. Reginald W. Lewis |
| 1979–1980 | John A. MacNaughton | 1980–1981 | Reginald Stackhouse Reginald Stackhouse Reginald Francis Stackhouse is a Canadian educator and former politician. He served in the Canadian House of Commons from 1972 to 1974 and from 1984 to 1988 as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party.... |
| 1981–1982 | BGen. S.F. Andrunyk | 1982–1983 | Henry J. Stalder |
| 1983–1984 | Douglas L. Derry | 1984–1985 | Catherine R. Charlton |
| 1985–1986 | Harry T. Seymour | 1986–1987 | Nona Macdonald |
| 1987–1988 | Ronald Goodall | 1988–1989 | A.A.(Tony) van Straubenzee |
| 1989–1990 | Sarah A. Band | 1990–1991 | Maj. The Rev. Canon Harold F. Roberts |
| John F. Bankes | |||
| 1992–1993 | Robert L. Brooks | 1993–1994 | Col. Frederic L.R. Jackman |
| 1994–1995 | John A. Campion | 1995–1996 | David A. Edmison |
| 1996–1997 | Julie K. Hannaford | 1997–1998 | Gareth S. Seltzer |
| 1998–1999 | George L. Cooke | 1999–2000 | Robert J. Dechert Bob Dechert Robert "Bob" Dechert is a Canadian politician and lawyer. He represents the electoral district of Mississauga—Erindale in the House of Commons of Canada. He is a member of the Conservative Party.-Political history:... |
| 2000–2001 | Catherine Steele | 2001–2002 | Bill Laidlaw |
| 2002–2003 | Ann Curran | 2003–2004 | John Koopman |
| 2004–2005 | Bart J. Mindszenthy | 2005–2006 | William G. Whittaker |
| 2006–2007 | Capt. The Rev. Dr. John S. Niles MSM | 2007–2008 | Catherine S. Swift Catherine Swift Catherine Susan Swift is the President and CEO of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, which she joined in 1987. She has previously served as CEO from 1997 and President from 1995.... |
| 2008–2009 | Jo-Ann McArthur | 2009–2010 | Alfred Apps Alfred Apps William Alfred Apps is a Canadian lawyer, businessman and prominent activist in both the Liberal Party of Canada and the Ontario Liberal Party. He is currently counsel to a Canadian law firm, Fasken Martineau, based in their Toronto office. Apps is associated with a number of philanthropic and... |