Empire Club of Canada

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario With Jobs, Opportunity and Security for Today and Tomorrow Kathleen Wynne is Ontario's 25th Premier and the first woman to serve in that role. She was first elected to the Ontario legislature in 2003 as the MPP for Don Valley West, and she became the leader of the Ontario Liberal Party in January, 2013. She has focused on introducing practical progressive solutions throughout her extensive political career, including roles as Ontario's Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, Minister of Transportation, and Minister of Education. Premier Wynne has three adult children, Chris, Jessie and Maggie, and three grandchildren, Olivia, Claire and Hugh. She and her partner Jane have lived in North Toronto for more than 25 years. Premier Wynne got her start in politics as a Public School Trustee. She has a long history of serving her community by participating in citizens groups and grassroots community projects. Speaker: The Hon. Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario *The content presented is free of charge but please note that the Empire Club of Canada retains copyright. Neither the speeches themselves nor any part of their content may be used for any purpose other than personal interest or research without the explicit permission of the Empire Club of Canada.* *Views and Opinions Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the speakers or panelists are those of the speakers or panelists and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official views and opinions, policy or position held by The Empire Club of Canada.*

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: J. Robert S. Prichard, Chair, Metrolinx With Transforming the Way the Region Moves: Metrolinx’s Current and Future Plans J. Robert S. Prichard is chairman of Torys LLP, a leading international business law firm with offices in Toronto, Calgary, Montreal and New York. He is also chair of Metrolinx, the regional transportation agency for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton area, where he previously served as President and CEO. Rob is also chairman of the Bank of Montreal. Prior to joining Torys in 2010, Rob had careers as a law professor, academic leader and business leader. He was a professor of law at the University of Toronto from 1976 to 2001, specializing in law and economics and served as dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Toronto from 1984 to 1990. Rob served as the 13th president of the University of Toronto from 1990 to 2000. Rob's business experience includes serving from 2002 to 2009 as president and CEO of Torstar Corporation, a leading Canadian media company with newspaper and book publishing businesses. He currently serves as a director of Onex Corporation and George Weston Ltd, as Lead Director. In the volunteer sector, Rob serves as a trustee of the Hospital for Sick Children and also serves as a member of Canada's Economic Advisory Council and Ontario's Economic Advisory Panel. Rob has previously served as vice chair of Canada's Science, Technology and Innovation Council, chairman of the Ontario Innovation Trust and chair of the Visiting Committee for Harvard Law School. Rob studied honours economics at Swarthmore College, received his MBA, Dean's List, in finance and international business from the University of Chicago and earned law degrees from the University of Toronto, Gold Medallist, and Yale University, Viscount Bennett Fellow. Rob has been recognized by appointment as an officer of the Order of Canada, a member of the Order of Ontario and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. He has received honorary degrees from ten colleges and universities in Canada and the United States and received the David Smith Award for contributions to public policy in higher education in Canada and the Champion of Public Education award from the Learning Partnership. Speaker: J. Robert S. Prichard, Chair, Metrolinx *The content presented is free of charge but please note that the Empire Club of Canada retains copyright. Neither the speeches themselves nor any part of their content may be used for any purpose other than personal interest or research without the explicit permission of the Empire Club of Canada.* *Views and Opinions Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the speakers or panelists are those of the speakers or panelists and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official views and opinions, policy or position held by The Empire Club of Canada.*

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: His Excellency Georgiy Mamedov, Russian Federation Ambassador to Canada With Russia, Ukraine, and Crimea: The Russian Perspective The Empire Club of Canada is excited to launch a new series of events, The Ambassadors Speak. Continuing the Club's 110 year tradition of providing Canada's podium of record to the world's newsmakers, groundbreakers, and opinion leaders, The Ambassador Series will provide our members and guests with direct access to some of the official representatives to Canada of the most prominent nations in world. No country on the planet has attracted more attention than the Russian Federation. Many complex issues, such as sexual orientation, the hosting of the Winter Games in Sochi, and the recent events in the Ukraine have brought Russia to the forefront of international consciousness and political opinion.  Our guest speaker, Ambassador Georgiy Mamedov, has served as Russia's ambassador since 2003. In the 1990s and the early 2000s, he was his country's chief interlocutor with the United States on such subjects as NATO, arms control, and Kosovo. During that time, he was Russia's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.  This event is part of The Empire Club's special series, The Ambassadors Speak. Join us on April 22nd to hear, first hand, the Government of Russia's perspective into one of the most important political issues of our time. Mamedov Georgiy Enverovich was born in 1947. In 1970 graduated from Moscow State Institute of International Relations. Holds Ph.D. in history. Speaks English and Swedish. Entered diplomatic service in 1972. Has been stationed at the Embassy in the USA in 1972 to 1973 and in 1977 to 1981. Since 1991, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation. Holds diplomatic rank of Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Canada. Mr. Mamedov is married, has son and daughter, both adult. Speaker: His Excellency Georgiy Mamedov, Russian Federation Ambassador to Canada *The content presented is free of charge but please note that the Empire Club of Canada retains copyright. Neither the speeches themselves nor any part of their content may be used for any purpose other than personal interest or research without the explicit permission of the Empire Club of Canada.* *Views and Opinions Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the speakers or panelists are those of the speakers or panelists and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official views and opinions, policy or position held by The Empire Club of Canada.*

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: Hon. Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development With Increasing Aboriginal Participation in the Workforce Bernard Valcourt was first elected to the House of Commons in 1984 and re elected in 1988. In 1984, he was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Revenue and to the Minister of State, Science and Technology. From 1984 to 1993, Mr. Valcourt subsequently served as Minister of State, Small Businesses and Tourism, Minister of State, Indian Affairs and Northern Development, Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Minister of Employment and Immigration and Minister of Labour Assembly of New Brunswick as the member for Edmundston, and he served until 1999. He was Leader of the Opposition party for the province from 1995 to 1997. He was re elected to the House of Commons in 2011 as the Member of Parliament for Madawaska Restigouche. In May 2011, he was appointed Minister of State, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, La Francophonie. He was appointed Associate Minister of National Defence in July 2012. In February 2013, Mr. Valcourt was appointed Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development. Mr. Valcourt is a barrister and solicitor who practised law in Edmundston, New Brunswick, where he lives today. Speaker: The Hon. Bernard Valcourt, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development *The content presented is free of charge but please note that the Empire Club of Canada retains copyright. Neither the speeches themselves nor any part of their content may be used for any purpose other than personal interest or research without the explicit permission of the Empire Club of Canada.* *Views and Opinions Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the speakers or panelists are those of the speakers or panelists and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official views and opinions, policy or position held by The Empire Club of Canada.*

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: His Excellency Vadym Prystaiko, Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada With Ukraine and Russia: The Ukrainian Perspective Recent events in the Crimea have been difficult for everyone involved in this part of the world, but no one has found the situation more difficult than Ukraine itself. Where does this country stand on these issues and how will it deal with what it and some Western countries view as recent unacceptable military and political aggression by the Russian government? How does the Republic of Ukraine see the next twelve months, and is there a constructive way forward for all of the various players in this conflict? Should the West be as concerned by recent events as Ukraine itself? Our guest speaker, Ambassador Vadym Prystaiko, was appointed by the President of Ukraine in November, 2012. He is fluent in Ukrainian, Russian and English, has had a distinguished career in both the private and public sectors, and holds a Master Degree from the Ukrainian Academy of Foreign Trade as well as a degree in Computer Science.  Speaker: His Excellency Vadym Prystaiko, Ukrainian Ambassador to Canada *The content presented is free of charge but please note that the Empire Club of Canada retains copyright. Neither the speeches themselves nor any part of their content may be used for any purpose other than personal interest or research without the explicit permission of the Empire Club of Canada.* *Views and Opinions Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the speakers or panelists are those of the speakers or panelists and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official views and opinions, policy or position held by The Empire Club of Canada.*

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: John Campbell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Waterfront Toronto With Our Waterfront - Progress Report John Campbell, Waterfront Toronto's President and CEO, provides a progress report on the revitalization of Toronto's waterfront and learn how waterfront renewal is building an enduring legacy of economic returns and social benefits for the city, province and country. Bio: John Campbell is President and Chief Executive Officer of Waterfront Toronto, formerly known as the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation. The Corporation is responsible for leading the estimated $30 to $35 billion renewal of Toronto's waterfront. Before joining Waterfront Toronto in April 2003, John was a senior executive at Brookfield Properties. He headed up the Canadian property management subsidiary and prior to that played a leadership role in the development of the company's most prestigious property, Brookfield Place. He has an MBA from the University of Toronto, a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Carleton University and has his Institute of Corporate Directors, designation, ICD.D. Speaker: John Campbell, President and Chief Executive Officer, Waterfront Toronto *The content presented is free of charge but please note that the Empire Club of Canada retains copyright. Neither the speeches themselves nor any part of their content may be used for any purpose other than personal interest or research without the explicit permission of the Empire Club of Canada.* *Views and Opinions Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the speakers or panelists are those of the speakers or panelists and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official views and opinions, policy or position held by The Empire Club of Canada.*

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: Peter Aceto, President and CEO, ING Direct Canada With Leading in Times of Change: The cornerstones of Transformational Change Change is rampant and it is fast. Today, you either position your organization to adapt quickly or you'll end up with your back against the wall. That is what Peter Aceto, President and CEO of ING DIRECT, will share with the Empire Club. What it takes to see the upside of transformational change. And how to get employees to believe that change is not only good, but also that it is vital. Peter will address the changes that ING DIRECT underwent since inception and how they plan to move forward, in a big way, with their new name Tangerine. Bio: Peter Aceto, President and Chief Executive Officer of ING DIRECT Canada, is a passionate leader. His career with ING DIRECT began in Canada more than 16 years ago as a founding member of its senior leadership team. Peter leads the cornerstones of success for ING DIRECT with a relentless focus which includes: a simple and efficient business model, a winning and adaptable strategy, outstanding customer service, risk management, return and growth, and building a solid team to execute the company's vision. He is a sought out public speaker, a social media leader and author of his DIRECT TALK blog. Peter was profiled in Forbes magazine as the Social CEO, and Huffington Post as one of top 50 Social CEOs on Twitter. He was named 2012 Business Person of the Year by Western Law School. He was recognized as 2010 Communicator of the Year by the IABC Toronto Chapter. In addition, Peter was awarded the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee award for his contribution to Canada's leadership as a digital nation and for his contribution to his community. Peter achieved his Bachelor of Law in 1994 from the University of Western Ontario, where he also earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology. Peter is involved with numerous charities including Covenant House and Mount Sinai Hospital. He enjoys spending time with family and coaches his son's hockey team. He lives in Toronto with his wife and three children. Speaker: Peter Aceto, President and CEO, ING Direct Canada *The content presented is free of charge but please note that the Empire Club of Canada retains copyright. Neither the speeches themselves nor any part of their content may be used for any purpose other than personal interest or research without the explicit permission of the Empire Club of Canada.* *Views and Opinions Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the speakers or panelists are those of the speakers or panelists and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official views and opinions, policy or position held by The Empire Club of Canada.*

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: Honourable Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long Term Care and Deputy Premier of Ontario With Ontario’s Action Plan for Health Care: Year Two Update Deb Matthews was elected to the Ontario Legislature by the people of London North Centre in 2003, and re elected in 2007 and 2011. In 2007 she was appointed Minister of Children and Youth Services and Minister Responsible for Women's Issues. She has been Minister of Health and Long Term Care since 2009 and in February 2013 was named Deputy Premier of Ontario. As Chair of the Cabinet Committee on Poverty Reduction, Deb led the development of Breaking the Cycle, an ambitious strategy that has, at last count, lifted 40,000 children and their families out of poverty. She is recognized as being a driving force behind the historic Ontario Child Benefit. She also introduced the Poverty Reduction Act, which legislated an ongoing commitment to poverty reduction. As Minister of Health and Long Term Care, she led a major initiative to significantly reduce the cost of prescription generic drugs for all Ontarians. As well, she spearheaded the unanimous passage of the Excellent Care for All Act, ECFAA. This act has strengthened the health care sector's public focus and accountability to deliver high quality patient care. She also introduced Ontario's Action Plan for Health Care, which is transforming Ontario's health care system to provide better care and get better value for our health dollars. Deb was born in London where she has lived her entire life. She has three children and five grandchildren. Speaker: The Hon. Deb Matthews, Minister of Health and Long Term Care and Deputy Premier of Ontario *The content presented is free of charge but please note that the Empire Club of Canada retains copyright. Neither the speeches themselves nor any part of their content may be used for any purpose other than personal interest or research without the explicit permission of the Empire Club of Canada.* *Views and Opinions Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the speakers or panelists are those of the speakers or panelists and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official views and opinions, policy or position held by The Empire Club of Canada.*

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: Jim Leech and Jacquie McNish On Confronting Our Pension Failures Jim Leech Before becoming president and CEO of the OTPP in 2007, JIM LEECH was president and CEO of Unicorp Canada Corporation, one of Canada's first public merchant banks, and Union Energy Inc., then one of North America's largest integrated energy and pipeline companies. During the 1990s, he guided two start up technology companies, Disys Corporation and Kasten Chase Applied Research, to the revenue generation stage. Leech serves on the boards of Toronto General and Western Hospital Foundation, the MasterCard Foundation and was a founding director of Right To Play International. He also chairs the advisory board of the Queen's School of Business and is on the advisory board for The Learning Partnership, the advisory Council for the Toronto Region Board of Trade and the Toronto Financial Services Leadership Council. In 2012, Leech was awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal in recognition of his work with the True Patriot Love Foundation.  Jacquie McNish is a senior writer with the Globe and Mail and regular host on BNN, Canada's business news network. She is the winner of six National Newspaper Awards and the author of two best selling books including The Big Score, Robert Friedland, Inco and the Voisey's Bay Hustle and Wrong Way: The Fall of Conrad Black, which she co-wrote with Sinclair Stewart and was the recipient of the 2005 National Business Book award. Speaker:  Jim Leech, President and CEO of the OTPP Jacquie McNish, Senior Writer with the Globe and Mail *The content presented is free of charge but please note that the Empire Club of Canada retains copyright. Neither the speeches themselves nor any part of their content may be used for any purpose other than personal interest or research without the explicit permission of the Empire Club of Canada.* *Views and Opinions Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the speakers or panelists are those of the speakers or panelists and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official views and opinions, policy or position held by The Empire Club of Canada.*

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: The Honourable Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women Minister Leitch will highlight the importance of hiring and promoting women in all sectors of the economy and will outline how increasing the number of women leaders within an organization, particularly on the corporate board, can improve overall performance. The Minister will discuss how the Government of Canada is supporting women in leadership roles and will encourage business leaders to foster supportive work environments that empower women to succeed. The Honourable Kellie Leitch was elected to the House of Commons in May 2011. In July 2013, Dr. Leitch was appointed Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women. Previously, she was appointed Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development and to the Minister of Labour in May 2011. Dr. and an associate professor of surgery. She is the former Chair of the Ivey Centre for Health Innovation and Leadership and has served on various councils and boards, including the YMCA and Community Living. As a volunteer, Dr. Leitch served as council member on the National Research Council of Canada, was a board member of Genome Canada, a director on the YMCA of Greater Toronto board of directors, Vice President of the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research and founder of The Sandbox Project. Dr. Leitch earned her Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Toronto in 1994 and her MBA from Dalhousie University in 1998. Dr. Leitch has been recognized with the Order of Ontario for her advocacy work on behalf of Canadian children, and in 2005, she was selected as one of Canada's Top 40 Under 40 for her work in both medicine and business. Dr. Leitch lives in Clearview, Ontario. Speaker: The Hon. Kellie Leitch, Minister of Labour and Minister of Status of Women *The content presented is free of charge but please note that the Empire Club of Canada retains copyright. Neither the speeches themselves nor any part of their content may be used for any purpose other than personal interest or research without the explicit permission of the Empire Club of Canada.* *Views and Opinions Expressed Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the speakers or panelists are those of the speakers or panelists and do not necessarily reflect or represent the official views and opinions, policy or position held by The Empire Club of Canada.*