Christmas Luncheon

I have two introductions to make today, both of which give me profound pleasure, for both of them celebrate excellence, public presentation and in many ways the best of what we are as a particular community and as human beings involved in a continuum. These two introductions involve a Queen and angels, public duty and public performance, civility and true glory.

Let me first in introducing our special guest, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario turn to the Queen, public duty and civility. Her Majesty is our fondly regarded Head of State. Government reports and public life in our country act in her name. She graces our currency and sets an example of public duty and civility. His Honour, Colonel, The Honorable Henry Jackman is Ontario's 25th Lieutenant Governor since Confederation, and the 39th Lieutenant Governor since John Graves Simcoe arrived in Upper Canada in 1791.

I wish to remark on two significant aspects of His Honour's contribution to our province and our country. Firstly as a citizen, he was a successful businessman, a contributor to culture such as the Canadian Opera Company and Stratford Shakespearean Festival, to community care such as Regent Community Health Centre and the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research. His contributions are legion in international affairs, politics, education, the church and charity. All have felt the fine touch and the vigorous effort of our guest as a citizen. But as Lieutenant Governor he is a wonderful example of a person who fits the definition to those whom much are given, much is expected. Our Lieutenant Governor since 1991 has represented Her Majesty and served Ontario with dignity, civility, style and humour. He brought much to the Office in fulfilling his duties. He reminds us of the best of tradition and heritage.

I would ask you please to give him a warm welcome. He's our friend, a former Past President of The Empire Club, His Honour, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Hal Jackman.

Henry N.R. Jackman

Thank you, John, for your very gracious words.

It is a real delight for me to be back at The Empire Club podium once again. As your President mentioned, I had to do this once a week for, I think, 30 weeks in a row when I was President of this Club in 1971-1972. At the end of every Thursday afternoon lunch, I used to walk up from this hotel back to my office and I'd say, "Five down, 23 to go... Six down, 22..." My brother Eric understands that perfectly.

It is a pleasure and an honour for me to come back here, particularly at Christmas time as your Lieutenant Governor to bring greetings and best wishes to you all. The Empire Club has always had a great place in the life of this city. It has brought forth to the business and community of this city speakers of prominence, representing all points of view. We have always adopted an attitude of tolerance towards every speaker, as can be seen from the very fact that we have had many Liberals in a row and you haven't had any trouble from your board of directors, John...

But at any rate, I go to a lot of events and I have the privilege of bringing Christmas greetings to you from Her Majesty the Queen. And this is The Empire Club, which has a very special meaning to me. I bring these greetings with more than a dose of warm feeling towards all of you. We have a magnificent choir. I don't want to say anything more. I'm looking forward to hearing some wonderful young voices. Merry Christmas to you all and have a happy New Year. Thank you.

Introduction by John Campion

Let me now turn to angels, public performance and true glory. We have as very welcome guests in our audience two special angels that I will, with your indulgence, introduce to you. And a group of angels known as The Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir.

Firstly my two angels are my daughter Vanessa and my goddaughter Adeline McNaughton. They are students at the Mabin and Whitney schools here in Toronto. They are with their mothers including my wife Joanna and their grandmother Mona Faughty. 1 would ask you all and all little people in the audience wherever they may be to rise and have us welcome them.

Secondly there are the angel voices of our guest choir. The chorus in our society can be traced to a time 700 years before Christ. A fourth-century author said of song as follows: "Song awakens the soul to a glowing longing for what the song contains. It

banishes wicked thoughts. It acts like dew to the soul making it fertile for accomplishing good acts. It is a healing ointment for the wounds suffered in the battle of life." The Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir is known for its superb, musical quality. It brings pleasure wherever it goes and is an ambassador for this city, this province and Canada as it appears in this country and around the world. It is conducted by Robert Cooper. In its song it has provided ointment and true glory for us all.

I would ask you to please welcome them to The Empire Club's Christmas lunch.

The Toronto Mendelssohn Youth Choir gave a presentation.

The appreciation of the meeting was expressed by Larry Stout, CTV Journalist and Broadcaster and a Director, The Empire Club of Canada.