Empire Club of Canada

Canada is a resource rich powerhouse that has all the energy and critical minerals necessary for a prosperous future. Has Canada given up on the grand bargain between climate and energy?  With mounting division over carbon pricing and a potential reset on energy policy, join the Empire Club of Canada for a national perspective on the energy “trilemma” of sustainability, affordability and reliability. Is Canada ready to take advantage of the increasing importance of critical minerals to the global economy and what it means for powering the emissions reduction, sustainability and global supply chains?   This event will ask whether it is possible to increase interprovincial cooperation in order to balance regional interests and create a unified approach to position Canada as a responsible and reliable resource partner. The world is changing rapidly. Escalating conflicts in energy-producing regions of the world marked 2024, while America is preparing for a new Presidential administration. How does this impact Canada’s role in providing energy security and independence? What role will Canadian energy and critical minerals play under the new Trump administration? Join us on December 17th as Empire Club of Canada presents the fourth event in our Fall Energy Series  — a national discussion on energy and critical minerals. This is an event you won’t want to miss, featuring Premier Danielle Smith of Alberta and Premier Andrew Furey of Newfoundland and Labrador. With their distinct regional and political perspectives, they will offer valuable insights into Canada’s energy future. Both Premiers will lay out their vision and sit down to a moderated discussion where they discuss their common ground. This event is presented in partnership with Resource Works Society.   *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.*

Canadian corporations increasingly understand the importance of working together with Indigenous communities to form equity partnerships on procurement and infrastructure projects including transportation, oil and gas, nuclear, health, social, and mining. But for most of Canada’s history, these partnerships were traditionally unheard of, and Indigenous communities were purposefully excluded from all participation — having devastating effects on indigenous communities. Today, these partnerships are an important step towards economic reconciliation for Indigenous peoples. Indigenous partnerships also decrease project risk because participation ensures that all parties have a mutual interest in a project’s success. How did we get here?  In the past decades, there has been major development in Canadian law supporting the rights of indigenous peoples. Governments have reacted to the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Committee process. Governments have also implemented indigenous content rules that make participation a deal requirement. On December 10th, 2024, the Empire Club of Canada is proud to present Indigenous Partnerships — a New Way Forward to unlock Canadian Infrastructure. This event will focus on Indigenous partnerships and its impact to indigenous communities and the Canadian Infrastructure.  Our panelists will speak about the impact, the challenges and the success stories for all Canadians to learn from. Are you ready for your next project?  Please join us in welcoming Chief Cindy Woodhouse, National Chief, Assembly of First Nations; Cherie Brant, Partner and National Leader, Indigenous Law, BLG; Hillary Thatcher, Managing Director, Investments, Canada Infrastructure Bank — moderated by Michael Fox, President of ICE Indigenous.  *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.*

A collaboration between the Italian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF) and the Empire Club of Canada – In Conversation with Giancarlo Esposito On November 29, the Empire Club of Canada is proud to partner with the Italian Contemporary Film Festival (ICFF) for an unforgettable evening with the legendary Giancarlo Esposito! Known for his iconic role as ‘Gus Fring’ in Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, and now captivating audiences in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and Megalopolis, Esposito will share exclusive insights into his storied career and his rich Italian heritage. The night begins with an engaging conversation between Esposito and award-winning director Matt Johnson (BlackBerry), as we dive into his famous roles in Breaking Bad, The Mandalorian, Captain America: Brave New World and The Gentlemen. *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 province has an ambitious plan to build Ontario: from new housing that families can call home, to highways and public transit connecting our communities, and clean energy projects powering our economy. But with one in three tradespeople nearing retirement, we must pass on the wisdom and expertise of the Golden Generation of Skilled Tradespeople to the next generation of workers and students. The Empire Club of Canada is honoured to welcome Hon. David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development, for Tools of the Trade: Ontario’s Blueprint for Prosperity, a keynote address outlining the province’s next steps to grow Ontario’s workforce, and how the province is uniting organized labour and industry to build Ontario’s brighter, stronger future. Join us on December 2nd with the Hon. David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development, for a much-anticipated discussion on growing the workforce Ontario needs to drive our prosperity and ensure our province continues to be the best place to live, work, and raise a family. The fireside chat will be moderated by Michael “Pinball” Clemons, General Manager of the Toronto Argonauts and Founder of the Pinball Foundation. This is an event you won’t want to miss!

The Empire Club of Canada is proud to present our annual Empire Nights housing event entitled  Solving the Housing Crisis: Innovations in Building, Policy and Planning. This year’s event will address Canada’s housing shortage, highlighting the innovators at the forefront transforming how we build the homes required for our growing population.    The event will feature a panel of leading experts in the housing sector, along with special remarks and a presentation by Dr. Mike Moffat, Senior Director of Policy and Innovation at the Smart Prosperity Institute, who will provide a realistic assessment of the challenges ahead.  The Empire Club’s panel of housing experts, alongside Dr. Mike Moffat, will include Ana Bailão, Head of Affordable Housing and Public Affairs at Dream Unlimited Corp., George Carras, Founder and CEO at R-LABS Canada, and Geoff Cape, CEO at Assembly Corp. The discussion will be moderated by Cara Stern, Senior Media Producer at Smart Prosperity Institute. Together, they will focus on the innovative solutions being adopted by industry, policy makers and city planners — and the barriers that continue to stifle progress. On November 14, 2024, join us for our annual discussion about building more housing supply and restoring affordability to the housing market for both renters and home buyers. The Empire Nights at the Club offer an evening of passed canapés, refreshments, a theater-style presentation, and opportunities for networking — creating an ambiance for an evening dedicated to exploring serious solutions for the housing crisis.

In a digital world where a single click can put your privacy at risk, securing robust cybersecurity and establishing trust is crucial to ensuring the safety and security of Ontarians’ information. Don’t miss this important conversation on the future of cyber security, data protection and privacy in Ontario as we welcome Honourable Todd McCarthy, Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement to discuss the proposed Strengthening Cyber Security and Building Trust in the Public Sector Act, 2024 — legislation designed to establish a robust framework to protect the data of Ontarians and future-proof the province against emerging threats in our increasingly digital world. Minister McCarthy’s keynote address and fireside chat will highlight the government’s commitment to building a safer digital environment that fosters public trust and supports the growth of Ontario’s digital economy. You will hear directly from the Minister on the key components of the proposed legislation, including safeguarding children, enhancing cyber security, setting a foundation for AI governance, and modernizing privacy protections. Please join the Empire Club of Canada on November 12th for an essential opportunity for stakeholders, policymakers, and the public to engage with the Minister on the critical issues shaping Ontario’s digital future.

This event was graciously supported by a donation from Canada Company: Many Ways To Serve & Blake C. Goldring. As Remembrance Day approaches, we remember not just battles fought, but lives forever changed. From the muddy trenches of the First World War to today’s peace-keeping missions, Canadians have always stood strong in service and sacrifice. Canadian attitudes towards war have changed in the many decades since Canada’s involvement in 1914-1918’s First World War. On Friday November 8th, the Empire Club Foundation will explore these changes with some of Canada’s top experts – a soldier, a war artist, a historian, and a writer. Why have attitudes changed so radically and what does this mean for Canada’s role in the world in the future. We may not like it, but war, it seems, will always be with us. And what, when we participate in remembrance, are we truly remembering? The Empire Club Foundation wishes to honour the 66,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders who perished in the 1914-1918 Great War and the 44,000 who died in the 1939-1945 Second World War – and all Canadians in all the conflicts who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their Country. Join us on November 8, 2024, for a distinguished event hosted by the Empire Club Foundation in commemoration of Remembrance Day. This event is hosted virtually and is a must-listen for every Canadian, offering a heartfelt remembering of those who served and sacrificed for our nation. Tune-in to help commemorate the sacrifices of our fallen soldiers and their enduring legacy by exploring how changing Canadian attitudes impact Canada’s present and future role in the world. Our panel consists of Professor Jonathan F. Vance, Western University; Gertrude Kearns, much honoured war artist; Brigadier-General Cayle Oberwarth, Commander 4th Canadian Division and Joint Task Force (Central); and Gilbert Reid, film, television, and radio producer, and author.

We are honoured to welcome the Honourable Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Ontario’s Minister of Health, who will deliver a speech at our Fertility event. Couples undergoing fertility treatment can be impacted by a mix of emotions and there are no ‘one size fits all’ solutions to a patient’s needs, with many factors outside our control. The promise of parenthood often clashes with the stark realities of financial barriers, especially when considering the high costs of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and other treatments. With a recent (2022) study indicating that one in six Canadians experience infertility, there is clearly a need for greater fertility care in Canada. We also live in a changing world where talking more openly about fertility has become mainstream, while on the other hand, political forces in the U.S. have lobbied for fertility treatments to be banned altogether. The Empire Club of Canada is proud to present The Future of Fertility — Access Challenges and Opportunities in a Changing World. This event will take a close look at fertility within our healthcare systems and its impact on people, examine the role of government in reducing financial burdens on families to improve access to fertility care, acknowledge that fertility access is integral to improve the population growth necessary to bolster our economy, and discuss what business can do to be supportive within Canada’s workplaces. What is your business doing?  We are pleased to be joined by a panel of experts to talk about challenges and opportunities that will help continue to make improvements for Canadians requiring fertility treatment. This event will be moderated by Teri Hart, journalist and TV host, promising a dynamic and engaging conversation that you won’t want to miss!

As Enbridge Gas completes a major acquisition of natural gas utility assets in the U.S., what does this mean for Ontario? North America? The future of natural gas? And Enbridge?  The Empire Club of Canada welcomes Michele Harradence, President of Enbridge Gas, for her first major address since the acquisition, transforming the North American gas industry. The event IS moderated by award-winning journalist Hannah Thibedeau. 

The Empire Club of Canada Presents: We’ve Got the Power: Ontario’s Generational Opportunity The Empire Club of Canada’s Energy Series is all charged-up with the addition of this event featuring Honourable Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s new Minister of Energy and Electrification in his first major address in this portfolio. As Ontario faces a dramatic surge in energy demand, the province is taking bold steps to secure a clean and affordable future. The province has launched the largest competitive energy procurement in Ontario’s history and is undertaking the largest refurbishment and expansion of nuclear energy in North America to meet rising energy needs. Ontario is also proud to be building the first Small Modular Reactor in the G7 — showcasing leadership on a global scale. The Empire Club of Canada is honoured to welcome Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification, for We’ve Got the Power: Ontario’s Generational Opportunity, a keynote address outlining the province’s next steps, including his vision for Ontario’s journey towards becoming an energy superpower. Join us on October 24th as Minister Lecce explores the bold initiatives and forward-thinking strategies that will drive the province towards a vibrant and prosperous future, all made possible with more clean, reliable, and affordable energy for today and beyond. Moderator: Ben Mulroney, Radio Host, Producer, Tech Startup Advisor Speaker: Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Electrification, Government 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.*