Empire Club of Canada

Event: Where Online Harms Have Real World Consequences: The Case for Legislating Against Harm and Hate  Speaker: Hon. Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Government of Canada We expect to live in safe communities. We should expect the same thing in our online world, especially when it comes to protecting our kids and ensuring that everyone is able to express their opinions without being exposed to hate. Please join Hon. Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada as he lays out the federal government’s plan to tame some of the worst excesses of life online, and protect the rights of all Canadian who wish to express themselves without fear

Speaker: Blake Hutcheson, President and CEO, OMERS OMERS President and CEO Blake Hutcheson, recent recipient of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce Lifetime Achievement Award and the Order of Ontario, will highlight how this Canadian success story is positioned to deliver for its members in the years to come and the positive impact that their pension promise is having on our provincial and national economies.

What are the practical and executable solutions needed to simultaneously grow the economy and address the realities of climate change? This question is at the very core of the work of the Green Ribbon Panel – a collection of environmental and economic leaders from across Canada that have come together to mobilize business and civic leaders to participate in climate and economic policy discussions and provide a forum for sharing ideas, lessons and best practices. In 2022, the Green Ribbon Panel released More Clean Power: How Ontario can build a clean economy that works. Since the release of this report, and its accompanying recommendations, the policy landscape in Ontario and across Canada has shifted fundamentally. Join James Scongack (Chair of the Green Ribbon Panel) about advancements being made in Ontario and across Canada to implement panel recommendations from 2022 as well as new and innovative policy recommendations that underscore key priorities for the Green Ribbon Panel in 2024. Serving as the official launch event for the Green Ribbon Panel’s latest report Preserving Progress & Maintaining Momentum, this event will provide attendees with a first-hand account of the panel’s latest policy recommendations.

In the current global climate of geopolitical uncertainty and an ever-growing demand for clean, renewable energy balanced with the need for lower carbon, more responsible oil, Newfoundland and Labrador has a unique position in Canada and indeed the world. The Empire Club of Canada is excited to host Hon. Dr. Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador to share a look at the momentum across sectors in his province, and his government’s ongoing work to position Newfoundland and Labrador to fully maximize its potential. Through ongoing engagement with fellow Premiers, the federal government, the private sector, and all stakeholders, the Premier is celebrating the province’s assets nationally and on the world stage. With everything from critical minerals to wind and hydrogen, a beautiful, safe place to live, work, and raise a family, and a tourism industry that can offer bucket list adventures for visitors of all ages, Newfoundland and Labrador is writing a new chapter in its storied history.

The state of our mental health affects how we move through life and experience the world every day. It touches not only on our relationship with ourselves, but also with our family, friends, and colleagues. A significant portion of our society spends most of their day at work. Structural and interpersonal barriers create challenges on the path to mental health in the workplace, which means that despite best efforts, it is not always easy or possible to leave our internal struggles at home. In recent years, there has been increasing discourse and action taken to promote mental health in the workplace, which leads to the question: have we done enough, yet? Join the Honourable Michelle O’Bonsawin, a judge of the Supreme Court of Canada, as she opens up a conversation about mental health in the workplace. Drawing on years of experience as General Counsel for the Royal Ottawa Health Care Group, she discusses the progress made so far and offers solutions on the pathway forward.

Grit. Vision. Abundance. At a time of uncertainty in Ontario – the path to economic abundance for people and businesses in the province requires clear vision and hard work. Join Bonnie Crombie, leader of Ontario’s Liberals, for a conversation about moving the province forward. Crombie will discuss her bold, ambitious vision for change in Ontario – high-quality healthcare and education, reliable transit, affordable homes and the growing economy to finance it. Ambitious change that will take tenacity, grit and a refusal to accept things as they are. The Empire Club of Canada is honoured to host Ms. Crombie on April 4th, 2024 following Ontario’s provincial budget in her first major speaking appearance as Ontario’s new Liberal leader. 

As we near the halfway point of Premier Doug Ford’s second mandate, it’s time for a stock take on his achievements and challenges – and what it means for the Spring sitting of the Ontario legislature. With the election of Bonnie Crombie as the Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party in December, the main protagonists of the next Ontario election are now set. Ms. Crombie is a brand name in the vote rich GTA, and while she will not have a seat in the legislature, she will be a new force for Doug Ford to reckon with, while also setting up a “progressive primary” with Marit Stiles’ NDP. How has Marit Stiles fared in her first year on the job as Leader of the Official Opposition? Will the Ford government need to recalibrate policy to respond to the recent changes in political leadership? Will Bonnie Crombie’s election finally dig the Ontario Liberals out of their multi-year funk? Our political experts will debate these hot topics – and more.

In Conversation with Ontario’s Minister of Finance Amid record population growth and the challenges of an uncertain economy and global instability, Ontario is delivering on its Plan to Build. Join Ontario’s Minister of Finance, Hon. Peter Bethlenfalvy, for a keynote speech and fireside chat, where he will share more about how the province is investing in the critical infrastructure needed for the future while keeping costs down for people today.

Getting It Done: The Women Who Have Thrived Against All OddsA Celebration of International Women’s Day Mining, Real Estate and Construction are some of the most important sectors driving Canada’s growth and future economic prosperity. They are also industries that consistently struggle to attract diverse talent at all levels, particularly women. As Canada faces a labour supply shortage, now more than ever, we need competent women leaders to be empowered to drive Canada’s growth. We are seeing positive changes and that’s no accident. Meet the women who are rewriting the script in these traditionally male-dominated core sectors. This conversation will be moderated by Dr. Deborah Rosati, Founder & CEO, Women Get On Board Inc. Come and hear the inspiring stories of Arlene Dedier, Principal & Executive Vice President, Canadian Practice Leader, Project Management Services, Avison Young; Julie Di Lorenzo, President, Mirabella Development Corporation and Chantal Gosselin, Director, Canadian Mineral Industry Education Foundation, who have overcome challenges and shattered barriers.

The Empire Club presents EMPIRE NIGHTS  Sarada Peri, in Conversation with Martin Regg Cohn, Political Columnist, The Toronto Star Don Guy, Pollster of Pollara Strategic Insights: Presentation of special polling insights on democracy and Canadian attitudes toward the U.S. Election A flurry of democratic activity will take place in 2024, with at least 65 elections taking place across 54 countries. At the same time, the frontiers of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies seem to expand every day. The influence of AI on the democratic process will be tested at scale for the first time as billions of people around the world head to the polls, posing concerns about the delicate balance between technological advancement and the resilience of democratic institutions. Join Sarada Peri, expert communications strategist and former speechwriter to President Obama, as she uncovers the implications of AI for political campaigns and democracy. The Empire Club of Canada is proud to present this special Empire Nights event with a senior U.S. based communications expert, a prominent journalist and a legendary pollster with the assistance, support and vision from the Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).