Empire Club of Canada

On January 20, 2026,  The Empire Club of Canada convened a high-stakes conversation at a time of rapid transformation for the Canadian and broader global economy. Featuring  John McKenzie, CEO of TMX Group —the operator of Canada’s premier stock exchanges with a central position in the country’s financial ecosystem—and  Frances Donald, Chief Economist at RBC,  attendees gained privileged insights...

2025 rewrote the political rules. Canada adjusted to a new American president, elected a new prime minister, navigated a trade war with its largest partner, and stared down mounting economic headwinds. A new world order has arrived—and it’s here for the foreseeable future. So, what stories will define 2026? The  Empire Club of Canada  brought together three of the country’s most influential politi...

On  December 3, 2025, The Empire Club of Canada  presented a keynote speech entitled,  Delivering a Nation-Building Workforce: The Honourable David Piccini, Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.  Amidst unprecedented economic uncertainty, governments are increasingly turning to the diversification of trade towards new industries, and the stimulation of landmar...

At a time when all levels of government in Canada have acknowledged the scale and urgency of the housing crisis, Canadians are increasingly focused on solutions to expand the supply of affordable housing—an issue that has become one of the defining challenges of our era. With access to housing now central to both societal well-being and economic stability, growing attention is being paid to the in...

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people move to Toronto, looking for opportunity, while tens of thousands are leaving in a flight for affordability and safety. Addressing this tension and making Toronto a city where everyone can afford to raise a family and build a life is the most critical challenge facing our local government. According to a recent Toronto Star/Ipsos survey first unveiled at...

As Canada’s leaders navigate this time of economic uncertainty, Canadians expect all governments to build a more resilient, interconnected and sovereign country. As Ontario is Canada’s economic engine, increased investments in Ontario’s transit and transportation system is an integral part of this effort. On November 20th,  The Empire Club of Canada  is proud to welcome  The Honourable Prabmeet Sa...

A Remembrance Day Event exploring the power and potential of Young Women. Learn how 40,000 teenage girls that produced the food feeding Canada and WWII soldiers helped pave the way for change and the leaders of today. During World War War II, while men fought overseas, a quiet evolution was taking place in the fields of rural Canada. At a time when farm work was considered “a man’s job”, the Farme...

Ontario’s justice system is undergoing one of the most ambitious periods of modernization in its history. With rapid advancements in technology, growing public expectations, and mounting pressures on the justice system, the province is at a defining moment. The question is: how do we build a system that is faster, smarter, and more resilient—while keeping communities safe and holding offenders acc...

Social determinants such as place of birth, where you live, employment, and education play a crucial role in health outcomes. For Black women and girls in Canada, systematic challenges, lack of research, and anti-Black racism compound health disparities including risks for various diseases, poorer perinatal outcomes and inequities in healthcare access and quality. What are the best practices for h...

The Economics of Action – Implementing Canada’s Defence, Industrial Strategy to grow the economy and assert Canadian Sovereignty 9 months and 9 billion dollars – the Government’s plan to REbuild, REarm and REinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces and Canada’s defence industry. As Canada meets our 2% NATO target, Canadian industry is faced with a generational opportunity to position Canada as a leader...

This is an Empire Nights event, proudly presented by the Empire Club of Canada. As Canada navigates a rapidly changing global landscape, it’s never been more vital to hold fast to the democratic values that unite us as Canadians. A distinguished member of the Council of Premiers, Premier Kinew has been instrumental in advancing shared priorities across provinces, from strengthening economic resili...

As Canada continues to face economic uncertainty and shifting global dynamics, strong provincial leadership is needed to meet the moment. Premier Doug Ford spent much of the first half of 2025 defending Canada’s national interests on the World Stage, earning him the moniker “Captain Canada.” As Chair of the Council of the Federation, he played an important leadership role, working with other premi...

Canada is at a moment of rare alignment with the new federal government’s focus on growth and a business community ready to build. Canadians across the country want to see quick action to address threats from the U.S. There’s growing momentum for the Build Canada Now movement. But the question is will we act fast enough? On October 2nd, 2025, The Empire Club of Canada presented Compete or Retreat:...

As the Canada-U.S. relationship dominates discussions on both sides of the border, relationships with our U.S. partners could not be more important.  The state of Michigan – with bilateral trade at over $95 Billion dollars annually (and $68 Billion dollars between Ontario and Michigan alone) — is Canada’s largest U.S. trading jurisdiction in such sectors as auto, manufacturing and services. Michig...

Building the Economy of the Future and The AI Nation: The Urgent Mission to make Canada AI and Quantum Strong The future of economic prosperity and security will be determined by the revolutionary technologies AI and Quantum. From healthcare to defence to public services, AI and quantum will transform how government serves Canadians, reshaping nearly every corner of society. Canada needs to secure...

Toronto is the epicenter of sports and entertainment in Canada and MLSE is at the forefront of bringing sports-fans to their feet. Growing significantly from its hockey origins to becoming a diversified sports and entertainment powerhouse, MLSE is the home of the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL), Toronto FC (MLS), and Toronto Argonauts (CFL). From ownership and management changes to key off-season roster...

This is a defining moment in Toronto’s history. As Canada undergoes unprecedented change and challenges, Toronto is feeling the pressure— but also must see the possibilities. From the lasting impact of the pandemic on how we live, work, and move through the city, to shifting global dynamics, such as the U.S. trade war that is sparking major domestic investment.   Toronto is having to navigate all...

Ontario is going big and bold. As we face unprecedented economic challenges from US tariffs, we’re doubling down on a historic $200-plus billion plan to build new roads, transit, schools, hospitals, and long-term care homes. At the same time, Ontario is making it easier and faster to build residential, commercial and industrial buildings across municipalities. As leaders and partners in the constr...

As the Canada-U.S. relationship dominates discussions on both sides of the border, the arrival of the U.S. Ambassador to Canada has never been more anticipated.  The new U.S. Ambassador to Canada is integral to addressing the most important issues between the United States and the newly elected Canadian government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney. As our countries’ leaders chart a path forward fo...

Canada is in the midst of a Global Trade War. This puts Ontario — as Canada’s economic engine — at the heart of the battle. At this unprecedented moment, the Empire Club of Canada will host  The Honourable Peter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario’s Minister of Finance  for his annual speech in anticipation of Ontario’s 2025 Provincial Budget.    This event will discuss the Ontario government’s plan to protect...

This is an Empire Nights event, proudly presented by the Empire Club of Canada. The results are in: Mark Carney’s Liberals have emerged with a minority government following one of the greatest comeback stories in Canadian political history. Liberal party fortune’s skyrocketed in the first half of the campaign with pollster predictions of a majority of over 190 seats in this volatile race prompted...

Play Corruption costs the world economy around US$5 trillion each year, the equivalent of 5% of global GDP, according to Transparency International. This widespread issue hinders economic growth, deepens inequality, and siphons funds from essential public services like education and healthcare. While many view corruption as a government issue, businesses can’t afford to ignore the risks. Organizat...

The average life expectancy of a Canadian has grown over the past 200 years from below 40 to over 82 years. Canadians are living longer, but for many, it is not long enough. The pursuit of longevity is further evolving – becoming a passion feeding a booming industry promoting preventative and personalized health care strategies to increase not only our lifespans but our health spans as well. From...

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is causing disruption in almost every sector — and the professional services sector is no exception. For those working in law, finance and accounting, AI’s influence is already here, impacting how you work and what clients expect. To stay competitive, firms must balance growth, efficiency, and service innovation with regulatory standards and ethical responsibilities. A...

Canada and the world are facing a momentous energy challenge. With energy demand soaring, aging infrastructure, population growth, and artificial intelligence rapidly advancing, the pressure on our energy systems has never been greater. On April 10, 2025, join us at the Empire Club of Canada  for an insightful conversation with  Nicolle Butcher, President and CEO of Ontario Power Generation (OPG) ...