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The catalyst for the formation of the Empire Club of Canada was a majority decision by the International Boundaries Tribunal in October of 1903. This tribunal, consisting of three Americans, two Canadians and one British, voted 4 to 2 in favour of awarding a large strip on the Pacific Coast of Canada to the United States.
The catalyst for the formation of the Empire Club of Canada was a majority decision by the International Boundaries Tribunal in October of 1903. This tribunal, consisting of three Americans, two Canadians and one British, voted 4 to 2 in favour of awarding a large strip on the Pacific Coast of Canada to the United States.

While, in some circles at that time, there were stong proponents for greater independence of Canada, a prominent group of local leaders felt there was a need for a new organization. One that would support the Empire as it was felt it would be beneficial to Canada to keep strong political and economic ties with the Empire.
While, in some circles at that time, there were stong proponents for greater independence of Canada, a prominent group of local leaders felt there was a need for a new organization. One that would support the 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, would also have a distinctive basis of British connection in its work and policy.
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, would also have a distinctive basis of British connection in its work and policy.

Membership was restricted to British subjects (there was no Canadian citizenship at the time) who would pay dues of $1 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.
Membership was restricted to British subjects (there was no Canadian citizenship at the time) who would pay dues of $1 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.
“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” said the first luncheon speaker on December 3, 1903, a clergyman and professor, William Clark.
“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” said the first luncheon speaker on December 3, 1903, a clergyman and professor, William Clark.

Rev Clark seems to have had the gift of prophecy, as in the century that followed hundreds of the world’s most distinguished men and women would follow him to that podium, discussing, debating and introducing bold ideas to many of the key issues of the century.
Rev Clark seems to have had the gift of prophecy, as in the century that followed hundreds of the world’s most distinguished men and women would follow him to that podium, discussing, debating and introducing bold ideas to many of the key issues of the century.


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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, libraries, consulates and embassies.
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, libraries, 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.
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 is available via the Empire Club website.
All Empire Club speeches since 1903 is available via the Empire Club website.

John Koopman is the current the leader, champion and hero of the Empire Club Foundation.
John Koopman is the current the leader, champion and hero of the Empire Club Foundation.


Revision as of 14:58, 26 August 2010

About the Empire Club

The Empire Club of Canada is recognized as one of Canada's long-standing and most respected speakers’ forums.

Established in 1903, the Empire Club has provided a forum to over 3500 speakers whose speeches, debates and discussions to Canadian professionals and leaders have helped shape public policy discussion and thinking in Canada.

Heading into the 21st century, the Empire Club is committed to creating spaces for forward-thinking Canadians and internationl leaders to engage in honest dialogue and to present courageous thinking in addressing the nation’s and world’s key challenges and opportunities.

Through a variety of presentation formats, the Empire Club invites local, national and international leaders and change-agents to address topical issues of the day.

The Empire Club is based in Toronto and holds most of its luncheon/breakfast discussions in a downtown Toronto-based hotel. The following leaders are only a small sub-set of those have addressed the Empire Club podium:


History

The catalyst for the formation of the Empire Club of Canada was a majority decision by the International Boundaries Tribunal in October of 1903. This tribunal, consisting of three Americans, two Canadians and one British, voted 4 to 2 in favour of awarding a large strip on the Pacific Coast of Canada to the United States.

While, in some circles at that time, there were stong proponents for greater independence of Canada, a prominent group of local leaders felt there was a need for a new organization. One that would support the 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, would also have a distinctive basis of British connection in its work and policy.

Membership was restricted to British subjects (there was no Canadian citizenship at the time) who would pay dues of $1 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. “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” said the first luncheon speaker on December 3, 1903, a clergyman and professor, William Clark.

Rev Clark seems to have had the gift of prophecy, as in the century that followed hundreds of the world’s most distinguished men and women would follow him to that podium, discussing, debating and introducing bold ideas to many of the key issues of the century.


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, libraries, 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 is available via the Empire Club website.

John Koopman is the current the leader, champion and hero of the Empire Club Foundation.


Past Presidents:

Year President
1903-1905 Brig. Gen. The Hon. James Mason
1905-1906 Rt. Rev. William Clark
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
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
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
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
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
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
1976-1977 William M. Karn
1977-1978 Peter Hermant
1978-1979 MGen. Reginald W. Lewis
1979-1980 John A. MacNaughton
1980-1981 Reginald Stackhouse
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
1991-1992 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
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 Rev. Dr. John S. Niles
2007-2008 Catherine S. Swift
2008-2009 Jo-Ann McArthur
2009-2010 Alfred Apps


References

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