Christmas Luncheon
- Publication
- The Empire Club of Canada Addresses (Toronto, Canada), 12 Dec 1985, p. 188-190
- Speaker
- Alexander, The Hon. Lincoln M., Speaker
- Media Type
- Text
- Item Type
- Speeches
- Description
- Seasons Greetings from the Lieutenant Governor and Special Performance by the Branksome Hall Senior School Choir.
- Date of Original
- 12 Dec 1985
- Subject(s)
- Language of Item
- English
- Copyright Statement
- The speeches are 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.
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- Full Text
- The Hon. Lincoln M. Alexander, P.C., K. St. J., Q.C. Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON
December 12, 1985
The President, Harry T. Seymour, ChairmanSpecial Performance by the Branksome Hall Senior School Choir
Daniel Biddle - Director of Music
Ronald Jordan - Accompanist
Mr. Seymour
Your Honour, distinguished guests, members and friends of The Empire Club of Canada: The luncheon today is a continuation of one of our most enjoyable traditions, established in 1913 when The Empire Club was just ten years old. It is a luncheon at which we encourage our family and friends to join us for highly traditional fare, including plum pudding, and Christmas entertainment.
The consistently high attendance at this annual luncheon is testimony to the pleasure and enjoyment it brings to all of us at this very special time of year when we pause for a brief interlude to reflect on the true "Peace on Earth, Good Will to Men" spirit of Christmas.
Another traditional aspect of this luncheon has been the honour bestowed upon this club through the presence of the Lieutenant Governor of the Province of Ontario. It is the presence of Her Majesty's personal representative and honourary vice-president of The Empire Club of Canada, the
Hon. Lincoln Alexander, that distinguishes this occasion. A lawyer and war veteran, His Honour was first elected to the House of Commons in the general election of June, 1968, and was subsequently re-elected in the general elections of 1972, 1974, 1979 and 1980.
In addition to being the Minister of Labour in the Rt. Hon. Joe Clark's minority government of 1979-80, Lincoln Macauley Alexander served as his party's spokesman on such universal subjects as housing, labour, unemployment insurance, manpower, immigration, welfare and public services, during his sixteen years as a member of the House of Commons.
A tireless worker whose efforts were respected by all with whom he worked, whether in the legal profession or in politics, His Honour was chosen by the Prime Minister and installed as Ontario's twenty-fourth Lieutenant Governor on September 20, 1985.
A graduate of McMaster University and of Osgoode Hall Law School, and the recipient of numerous honours and awards, His Honour is married to the former Yvonne Harrison. They have one son, Keith, who is with the Regional Municipality of Hamilton Wentworth.
Your Honour, on behalf of all who are gathered here today, it is my pleasure to extend to you and to your family our very best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We pledge to you our deepest affection and loyalty and, through you, to Her Gracious Majesty The Queen.
His Honour, the Lieutenant-Governor, as the representative in and for the Province of Ontario of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, brought greetings and best wishes for a Merry Christmas to all members and friends of The Empire Club.
Mr. Seymour
Thank you, Your Honour. We appreciate your consideration in joining us today, and, although your gracious wife was not able to join you, I hope that you will extend to her the very best Christmas wishes on behalf of The Empire Club.
Your honour, ladies and gentlemen: It is now my pleasure to introduce to you the Senior School Choir of Branksome Hall, under the very able direction of Daniel Bickle and accompanied by Ronald Jordan.
"Let There Be Carols," a programme of Christmas music, was then sung by the Branksome Hall Senior School Choir.
The thanks of the meeting was expressed by Colonel Robert Hilborn, President of The Empire Club Foundation and a distinguished Past President of The Club.
