Canadian Club Toronto

[1] It meets several times a month to hear speeches given by invited guests from diverse fields, including politics, law, business, science, media and the arts.

[2] It subsequently developed a role as an opinion-formation vehicle for some of Toronto's most prominent citizens.

Speeches were initially given in the evening, but starting in 1902, the club moved to its present lunchtime format.

[3] In the days before radio and television, the club provided a chance for influential Torontonians to have contact with Canadian and international leaders in a variety of fields.

[4] Speakers that addressed the club since 2000 have included Paul Martin,[5] Stephen Harper,[6] Vladimir Putin,[7] Justin Trudeau,[8] Paul Bremer,[9] Bob Rae,[10] Michael Dell,[11] Jean Charest,[12] John de Chastelain,[13] Hillary Clinton,[14] Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,[15] Margaret Atwood,[16] Karen Kain,[17] The Right Honourable David Johnston,[18] David Frum,[19] Pamela Wallin,[20] David Suzuki,[21] Beverley McLachlin,[22] Dalton McGuinty,[23] Belinda Stronach,[24] David Dodge,[25] Pinball Clemons,[26] Galen Weston Jr.,[27] Louise Arbour,[28] Adrienne Clarkson,[29] Donovan Bailey,[30] Mark Carney[31] and Jack Layton.