Rideau Club
Encyclopedia
The Rideau Club is a noted social club in Ottawa
, Canada
. Founded in 1865, and located near the Parliament Buildings
, it is the meeting place both of Canada
's political elite, and the city of Ottawa
’s social and business elite.
Originally located across the street from the Parliament Buildings, the original Club building burned down in October 1979 and the Club is now located on the top floor of a downtown office tower. Ironically, at the time of the fire, the Canadian Government was attempting to expropriate the Club property to serve as part of a future US Embassy.
Even after the fire, obtaining a judge to resolve the Club's ultimately successful case against the Canadian government alleging inadequate compensation for expropriation, proved difficult as most sitting Federal judges in Ottawa were members.
While most clubs are by definition at least somewhat restrictive, the Rideau Club was remarkably progressive for its time. It was reported to be the first club in Canada
(and one of the first in North America
) to disallow the use of the blackball
tradition which allowed clubs to subtly discriminate against potential Jewish members.
Similarly, in the 1970’s, after seeing controversy over its all male policy, the Club allowed female members and at the same time removed restrictions on female guests. Again, this was progressive for the times.
In the 21st century, with a focus on under-40 members, the Club worked hard to ensure its growth and continued existence embodying that most marvelous of Canadian oxymorons: a significant conservative, yet progressive institution coupled with an elite Ottawa focus.
The definitive history of the Rideau Club is outlined in the book Up from the Ashes: The Rideau Club Story by the late Canadian journalist Charles Lynch. (ISBN 0-7766-0310-8)
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Founded in 1865, and located near the Parliament Buildings
Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill , colloquially known as The Hill, is an area of Crown land on the southern banks of the Ottawa River in downtown Ottawa, Ontario. Its Gothic revival suite of buildingsthe parliament buildings serves as the home of the Parliament of Canada and contains a number of architectural...
, it is the meeting place both of Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
's political elite, and the city of Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
’s social and business elite.
Originally located across the street from the Parliament Buildings, the original Club building burned down in October 1979 and the Club is now located on the top floor of a downtown office tower. Ironically, at the time of the fire, the Canadian Government was attempting to expropriate the Club property to serve as part of a future US Embassy.
Even after the fire, obtaining a judge to resolve the Club's ultimately successful case against the Canadian government alleging inadequate compensation for expropriation, proved difficult as most sitting Federal judges in Ottawa were members.
While most clubs are by definition at least somewhat restrictive, the Rideau Club was remarkably progressive for its time. It was reported to be the first club in Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
(and one of the first in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
) to disallow the use of the blackball
Blackball (blacklist)
Blackballing is a rejection in a traditional form of secret ballot, where a white ball or ballot constitutes a vote in support and a black ball signifies opposition. This system is typically used where a club's rules provide that, rather than a majority of the votes, one or two objections are...
tradition which allowed clubs to subtly discriminate against potential Jewish members.
Similarly, in the 1970’s, after seeing controversy over its all male policy, the Club allowed female members and at the same time removed restrictions on female guests. Again, this was progressive for the times.
In the 21st century, with a focus on under-40 members, the Club worked hard to ensure its growth and continued existence embodying that most marvelous of Canadian oxymorons: a significant conservative, yet progressive institution coupled with an elite Ottawa focus.
The definitive history of the Rideau Club is outlined in the book Up from the Ashes: The Rideau Club Story by the late Canadian journalist Charles Lynch. (ISBN 0-7766-0310-8)