The Empire Club of Canada
Throughout the years, the Empire Club has provided a podium for some of the world’s most influential and prolific leaders to speak. With diverse backgrounds and expertise, these speakers and their perspectives unite people to ideas while advancing dialogue on issues of importance to Canadians.
The Hon. Navdeep Bains, Canada’s Former Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry
The Right Hon. Beverley McLachlin, Former Chief Justice of Canada
Stephen S. Poloz, Former Governor of the Bank of Canada
The Hon. Mary Ng, Canada's Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade
Victor G. Dodig, President & CEO, CIBC
Dr. Catherine Zahn, Former President & CEO, CAMH
John Chen, Executive Chairman and CEO, BlackBerry Limited
Hina Rabbani Khar, Former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Pakistan
Michael Medline, President & CEO, Empire Company and Sobeys Inc.
Vivian Bercovici, Canada's Former Ambassador to Israel
Charles Sousa, Canada's Former Minister of Finance, Legislative Assembly of Ontario
The Hon. Ginette Pettipas-Taylor, Canada's Former Minister of Health
Dr. Tedros Adhanon Ghebreyesus, Director General, World Health Organization
Maria Theofilaktidis, Former EVP, Chief Compliance Officer & Head, Enterprise Risk, Scotiabank
Rania Llewellyn, President & CEO, Laurentian Bank of Canada
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The same situation occurs in business and finance, where despite the large numbers of women shareholders, the names of relatively few women appear in the lists of directors of Canadian companies. It is my conviction that this situation will change in the next ten years, but I think that I would be dodging facts, if I did not admit that, although legislation has been adopted in most of Canada today which gives equal pay for equal work to men and women, there has as yet, not been general acceptance of the principle of equal opportunity. It is my opinion that women themselves must show their willingness to accept responsibility to a greater degree than they have done heretofore.
Ellen L. Fairchild
Canada’s First Woman Cabinet Minister
Excerpt, Empire Club Speech
December 12, 1959
First, there is clearly a world energy crisis with major ramifications for Canada and for the energy province of Canada-Alberta-and particularly for the Athabasca tar sands within Alberta. Secondly, we have, as all of you know, increased tensions and difficulties in world trade and monetary arrangement which have a particular significance for a leading nation such as Canada. Thirdly, I think it is fair to say that the period of comfortable and special trade relations with the United States appears to be subsiding.
Peter Lougheed
Premier of Alberta
Excerpt, Empire Club Speech
May 7, 1973
Let me close on this note. Nothing is more important than justice and just society. It is essential to the flourishing of men, women, and children and to maintain social stability and security. You need only open your newspaper to the international section to read about countries where the rule of law does not prevail, where the justice system is failing or non-existent. In this country, we realize that without justice we have no rights, no peace, no prosperity. We also realize that once diminished or lost justice is difficult to reinstate. We in Canada are the inheritors of a good justice system; one indeed that is the envy of the world. Let us face our challenges squarely and thus ensure that our justice system remains strong and effective.
Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin
Excerpt, Empire Club Speech
March 8, 2007
We have a new worry on our minds. Some of us are asking the question at the present time as to whether or not people should remain in that section of the country that some seven or eight years ago we considered to be flowing with a wealth that was only suited to a chosen people. Today we are wondering whether we should move people out of that area, whether we should go back to the conditions which existed there before our population was brought in, and if in any remarks I make today I can inspire confidence in the minds of men who have made investments in that part of the country, as to the future, I will consider my time has been well spent and I trust you will consider yours has, as well.
James Garfield Gardiner
Premier of Saskatchewan
Excerpt, Empire Club Speech
March 8, 1935
…. all of us who are stakeholders in the music industry must embrace change. We must be willing to consider new partnerships, new practices and new policies. In doing so, we can re-energize our music sector. We can unlock the potential of these and other gifted artists, give them the opportunity to sing out with pride and passion in a myriad of languages and styles, so that Canada’s voice is heard in every corner of the world. It’s all about the music. At the end of the day, that’s all there is.
Michael McCabe
President and CEO
Canadian Association of Broadcasters
Excerpt, Empire Club Speech
March 28, 2001