Empire Club of Canada, 118th Season: Past Presidents Dinner

May 11, 2023

The Empire Club of Canada Presents

Empire Club of Canada, 118th Season: Past Presidents Dinner

Chairman: Sal Rabbani, President, Board of Directors, Empire Club of Canada

Welcome Address and Introductions
Mike Van Soelen (Past President, 2019-2020) and Antoinette Tummillo (Past President, 2020-2021), the only living virtual president and, currently, doing some board and advisory work and just trying to enjoy life!

Mike Van Soelen, Past President (2019-2020), Empire Club of Canada
Good evening, it is with great honour that I welcome our friends, colleagues and distinguished Past Presidents of the Empire Club of Canada to this evening’s formal dinner. Your service and commitment to this esteemed organization have made an immeasurable impact, and we are privileged to have you in attendance tonight. With its grand architecture, classic artwork and sense of tradition and refinement, the Albany club provides a sophisticated backdrop to honour the insight, wisdom and experience gathered in this room that continues to guide the Empire Club through the challenges of today and tomorrow. Welcome.

Antoinette Tummillo, Past President (2020-2021), Empire Club of Canada
We have an exciting night planned, with the traditional speeches and responses from a few of our illustrious Past Presidents. It is so great to see the turnout to honour Kelly Jackson, and it is so great you could make it to the dinner this year. For those of you who attended last year, you may recall, Kelly contracted COVID and missed the event. Mike, you will recall she was supposed to be the emcee for the dinner honouring our terms as Past Presidents—not that we held that against her. Kidding aside, Kelly had a unique experience as President, navigating false starts thanks to COVID, speakers getting COVID, and lots more. You will hear a few of those stories tonight. Kelly, you are not only becoming a member of this distinguished group of Past Presidents but have expanded the dozen women who were Past Presidents to a baker’s dozen! Before we start our evening, please join me in reflection for a Land Acknowledgment and Statement of Gratitude on behalf of our fellow Board Director, Caitlin Tolley.

Land Acknowledgement and Statement of Gratitude by Caitlin Tolley, Board Director, Empire Club of Canada
I want to begin by acknowledging the territory and land on which we are gathered this evening. This territory is home to the traditional and host Nations of the Ojibway, Huron-Wendat, and Haudenosaunee people. I want to acknowledge and thank the traditional host Nations for allowing us to gather and live as guests. It’s important for us to think about reconciliation and how that fits into our daily lives and the responsibilities that we have.

Unknown Speaker
Caitlin Tolley is Algonquin Anishinaabe from Kitigan Zibi, Quebec. She joined the board in the late summer and early fall. Although she has not had the personal opportunity to meet each of you yet, she looks forward to another year of collaboration and new relationships. For those of you who don’t know, Caitlin works as Legal Counsel at the Ministry of the Attorney General, where she has been for the last three years. She moved to Toronto in 2017 and began her legal career and articled in-house at the Royal Bank of Canada. Her connection to First Nations is important to her, and as well, being an advocate in the spaces and rooms where she is able to make a contribution and bring a new perspective. Giving back to the community is especially important to her. Before I close, Caitlin also wanted to acknowledge those who come from diverse backgrounds, beliefs and faith and to extend a sincere congratulations to Kelly on a successful term.

[CHAMPAGNE DISTRIBUTED BY SERVERS]

Unknown Speaker
It is time for the Loyal Toast. This year, we have the honour to have Dr. Eric Jackman to give the toast. He served as Past President from 1993-1994. He is also a board director of the Empire Club Foundation. Eric is widely known for his philanthropic work in improving education in Canada and in the realm of psychology. He is also the only person in the history of the Empire Club to have a family member serve as President of the Club. Please welcome Eric Jackman.

Col. Frederic L. R. Jackman, Past President (1993-1994), Empire Club of Canada
(3-4 mins)

Loyal Toast by Eric Jackman
Please rise and raise your glass for a Loyal Toast: to the King! Thank you.

Mike Van Soelen
Thank you Eric/ Mr. Jackman. Please be seated. At this time, we kindly request the presence of our former President from 1969-1970, Dr. Ian MacDonald, to deliver his speech, “Canada and the Commonwealth.”

Canada and the Commonwealth, by H. Ian MacDonald, Past President (1969-1970) Empire Club of Canada
(7 mins)
(1) He will open with a couple of experiences from his days as President which illustrate how club practices have changed. They relate to the Commonwealth.
(2) He will then explain how the Commonwealth is more an association of people than an organization of nations. This belief arises from a conversation with the late Nelson Mandela.
(3) Then he will provide a few illustrations from his days as Chair of the Commonwealth of Learning (1994-2003).
(4) Finally, he will suggest three important priorities for Canada: first, to support the Monarchy as the glue which binds us together; second, to encourage a greater understanding of the Commonwealth in school curricula; third, to support the many Commonwealth organizations which help us to work together in common cause.

Unknown Speaker
Thank you, Ian/ Dr. MacDonald. We now please welcome our Past President, 2013-2014, Noble Chummar, to give his response. Now, just a couple of tidbits on Noble: he broke new grounds in fully representing Toronto’s rich diversity when he became President at a fairly young age, he is an extremely successful lawyer who is well respected—and I think he knows everyone in this City and beyond! Noble, over to you.

Response by Noble Chummar, Past President (2013-2014), Empire Club of Canada
(3-5 mins)

Mike Van Soelen
Thank you, Noble. We’ll now have our first course. Please enjoy.

[APPETIZER & DINNER ENTRÉE SERVED, LIVE MUSIC PERFORMANCE]

Antoinette Tummillo
I hope everyone enjoyed the meal. Before our dessert, I’d like to invite our Past President, Tony Van Straubenzee, who served from 1988 to 1989—and what a year that was. He probably had two of the most high-profile speakers in one year: Ronald Reagan and Audrey Hepburn. Tony regaled us with his stories last year. How I wish I was on the board in your year, Tony. Over to you, Tony, to deliver your speech "The Empire Club of Canada and its Past Presidents”.

The Empire Club of Canada and its Past Presidents, by Tony Van Straubenzee (1988-1989), Empire Club of Canada
(5-7 mins)

Mike Van Soelen
Thank you, Tony. Now, please welcome our Past President from 2018-2019, Kent Emerson, to the podium to give his response.

Response by Kent Emerson, Past President (2018-2019), Empire Club of Canada
(3-5 mins)

Antoinette Tummillo
Thank you, Kent. We’ll now have dessert, and then honour our immediate Past President, Kelly Jackson. As you are being served desert, just a few things I want to share about Kelly that I have observed over the years and as President of the Club: Kelly has in incredible sense of logic and knows what will work and not work. She has been an amazing strategist for the club. We discovered a lot more talents when she served as President. Her on-camera presence with Perry Bellegarde for the Nation Builder Award was stunning. She was just as good as Omar Sachedina, so many of us think this may be her second calling in life.

Kelly is a Renaissance woman. She is an academic, author of a children’s book in Canada, volunteers at many organizations, she is raising a family, she has a very busy career, but never fails to deliver, she is loyal, reliable, and a strong advocate of diversity and equity. The Empire Club of Canada is very lucky to have had her as a President, and to have served many other important roles for the club. Now, enjoy your desserts. We’ll continue with paying tribute to our guests of honour after the dessert.

[DESSERT IS SERVED]

Mike Van Soelen
Hope you all enjoyed the delicious dessert. It is the time to welcome our current president, Sal Rabbani, to the podium and deliver his speech “Presentation to the Guests of Honour” to honour Kelly Jackson.

Presentation to the Guests of Honour by Sal Rabbani, Current President, Empire Club of Canada
(5 mins)

Response by Kelly Jackson, Past President (2021-2022), Empire Club of Canada
I am grateful to be here this evening with all of you. Last year, I was unable to attend this dinner as I had COVID-19. I was so disappointed to miss paying tribute to the contributions of Mike van Soelen and Antoinette Tummillo during their respective presidential terms. So being here tonight feels extra special. And in the spirit of gratitude, I want to begin by thanking some key people.

For those who were in attendance at the event last June with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland, you may recall that you can start a trend by thanking your spouse publicly. So, I am going to start with my husband, Dave. Not just because Dave has provided me with his unwavering support for many years, but because we often thank those closest to us last, in these kinds of speeches. And I wouldn’t want anyone to think my expression of gratitude to him was an afterthought. I could not have assumed the role of President without Dave’s support. Dave also was a great sounding board throughout the season. And while I tend to be more of the type to think of affirmations from my yoga practice to help me navigate challenges, I can tell you Dave’s favourite piece of daily advice, “don't take any shit from anybody,” was particularly helpful on certain occasions.

Next, I want to thank Kent Emerson, who originally recruited me to join the Board of Directors. A champion for the Empire Club and for women in leadership roles, Kent’s passion well-known in this room. It is infectious, and often leads to you agreeing to take something on after getting an unexpected call from him.

A big thank you to Antoinette Tummillo, my predecessor. As Antoinette’s first Vice-President, I had a front row seat to the combination of vision, tenacity, and empathy she brought to the role. While it would have been so easy to focus on the short-term that year—how do we get through an all-virtual season? How do we survive the pandemic’s impacts on the organization? Antoinette challenged us all to look ahead, and to think long term.

And to the first Vice-President who provided me so much support during my tenure as President, and who I have had the privilege of calling a friend for the past decade, Sal Rabbani. You have committed so much time and energy to continuing the legacy and influence of the Empire Club of Canada. Thank you for the many late night phone calls that year, your reassurance, and problem solving.

And of course, thank you to my fellow directors, and those on last year’s executive committee, for your engagement and commitment. Kulvir, Jan, Carrie, and Jenna, the season was a success because of you. Thank you to the staff team, Jehan, Sarah and Maggie, who I have had the pleasure of working with, either during my season or in these last months as immediate Past President. I appreciate all you do each day to help the club deliver on its mandate.

Sitting in the audience last week at the Empire Club event held in the Lieutenant Governor's suite at Queen's Park, I was taken by a quote from King Charles that was shared by one of the speakers. It was from a speech he had given in the early ‘90s at Queen's University, and he described our country as one that “holds out the prospect of a great future built upon a most distinguished past". While he was of course referring to Canada, I couldn't think of a more appropriate way to describe how I feel about the Empire Club, an organization that has been around for most of Canada's existence, 119 of the 164 years since Confederation.

We all know that the club has changed and adapted as Canadian society has evolved. And everyone here in this room is familiar with one of those latest adaptations, the introduction of virtual events during COVID-19, to be able to continue the club’s mandate of connecting Canadians to critical conversations on issues that shape our world.

Today, as I have the honour of addressing this group, there is a feeling that while we have emerged out of the pandemic. We don’t know yet what kind of endemic state will characterize our lives for the next years, or the extent to which the events—or lack thereof—during COVID-19 have impacted us collectively. And while I do want to speak about this idea of the prospect of a great future for the club, and some of its critical elements, I would like to take a few minutes, first, to reflect on the past. And in particular, the 2021-22 season.

On June 30 last year, when I closed my laptop in a hotel room in Whistler BC after moderating the final event of the season, the annual Canada Day Reflection, we had put on 37 events. Thousands of people across Canada and internationally had tuned in or come in person to hear many of the critical conversations and influencers of our time—not a small feat, considering the uncertainty caused by COVID-19 throughout the year. Even when we, finally, were able to hold events in person in the spring of 2022, there were new challenges we had never before encountered. Three of our five in-person events were impacted by the speakers contracting COVID, forcing us to reschedule or move to a virtual format. Let’s just say it was not the easiest time to be in the event business.

Despite it being uncertain times, we persevered and had a strong season. From elder care and aging in place to the low-carbon future of the economy, to housing shortages, we covered a broad range of salient topics with experts, elected officials, and educators. We implemented many important modernization initiatives to position the club for the future. Digital tools for event promotion and registration, a new website and critically, for a club of record, the transfer of all the speeches in our archives into an accessible and searchable format online. From refreshing the look and feel of the Club’s brand, to making much needed changes to our governance structures and workplace policies for staff, we did much to advance our strategic plan objectives.

Beyond the operations, I must admit that one of the more challenging aspects of being a President was keeping a large board engaged during these difficult times. We all were on a roller coaster ride of isolation, trepidation, cautious optimism, and social awkwardness. And I was always aware that when you ended a call with someone on club business, you really didn’t know what they were stepping back into, what their reality at home or work was like, and what weight was on their shoulders. As a collective, we have much to be proud of in terms of our accomplishments. I am particularly proud of the work that we did, related to advancing reconciliation. We held multiple events on Indigenous education and healthcare, and our awarding of the Nation Builder of the Year title to former AFN Chief Perry Bellegarde was a true highlight.

Thanks to the incredible efforts of Bill White and others, a record amount of funds were raised—more than $250,000, the most ever in the club’s history for a single event. There was actually a split second during the live broadcast when, standing beside Omar Sachedina, I almost blacked out in the middle of reading the list of 40+ sponsor names. It was through that sponsorship that we were able to both invest in the club and make a $25,000 donation to a scholarship fund the First Nations University of Canada.

For me, doing a meaningful land acknowledgment became an important part of events I hosted. Through my work at Humber College, I have had the opportunity to learn and reflect on the significance of acknowledging the land we’re on. While we all go to events—and there may be a feeling that the delivery of a land acknowledgment has become perfunctory. My colleague Jason Seright, the college’s inaugural Dean of Indigenous Education and Engagement, once shared with me something that I always keep in mind. Think about what it means to an Indigenous person in the audience when a land acknowledgment is made by a non-Indigenous person, especially when it is done with thought and care.

I was amazed by the reaction I would receive after an event. I would often get emails or LinkedIn messages from people expressing their appreciation and interest in my approach. And speaking of inspiring correspondence from people you have never met post-event, I once received an email from a professor emeritus at U of T who wanted to let me know that, while he usually liked my style of hosting events, he was displeased with our post-budget event with Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy. So displeased that he wrote a blog about it and sent me the link so I could find that I, a former Liberal staffer, was now immortalized on the Internet as a stooge for the Conservative Party.

While things may feel as if they returned to normal, our world is not the one it was pre-COVID in many ways. The geopolitical landscape is markedly different; our ways of working and connecting with one another are shaped more than ever by technology; we are collectively experiencing the pandemic's impact on mental health; food insecurity across the country is significant; and there is an increasing sense of partisanship and divisiveness. The narrative and commitment to build back better and abandon the old normal for a more equitable and more inclusive world seems to have fallen by the wayside. Against that backdrop, the Club’s mandate is more relevant than ever, and we need to continue to adapt and evolve to new social patterns.

So, as I think about the future and how we will be able to continue to engage Canadians in the conversations that matter, I would highlight a couple of things for reflection. First, for all the drawbacks of virtual events, I firmly believe the pandemic allowed us to be bolder. The move to virtual events brought with it more diversity of topics and speakers. We need to find a way to ensure that continues within our current operating model for in-person events. Second, we need to deepen our commitment as an organization to equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging. We want our board to have representatives from Canada’s diverse communities, and we need to continue to strive towards gender parity. While the club’s been around for 119 years, I am only the 13th woman to be President. We must be intentional in how we recruit and support women and individuals from equity-deserving groups. And third, we must stop comparing ourselves to others, and have confidence in the work we are doing and the course we are charting. While we will need to adapt once again—this time to meet the challenges of the post-pandemic world—we should not forget what we have. We have a distinguished past to build on, and the people who will be at the heart of the prospect of a great future for the Empire Club of Canada. Thank you for being here this evening, and thank you for your support.

Antoinette Tummillo
Thank you, Kelly. We’ll now have the floor open. If anyone wishes to address the audience, please feel free to come forward to the podium.

Floor Open
Non-scripted moderation for open floor (10 mins)

Closing Remarks by Mike Van Soelen and Antoinette Tummillo
(5 mins)

Continued Closing Remarks by Antoinette Tummillo
As we conclude this evening’s dinner, I want to thank everyone for your contributions to making tonight’s celebration a success. I personally love coming to this dinner and rubbing shoulders with all you amazing people. Your presence has made this event a memorable one, and I hope that you have enjoyed this evening as much as we have.