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 intergenerational nature of the crisis, which is impacting Canadians from all walks of life. Meanwhile, younger generations are left wondering whether homeownership will ever be within reach.

On November 27, The Empire Club of Canada  hosted Ana Bailão, CEO of Build Canada Homes, for a keynote address entitled Building Canada’s Future: A New Era for Housing Delivery. Ana shared the bold vision of Canada’s new federal housing agency: turning policy and programs into places to live. From innovative partnerships to modern construction methods, she will outline BCH’s mission to accelerate housing supply, strengthen both non-profit and private sector capacity, and deliver affordability across the housing continuum.

Following her keynote, Ana joined Amanda Alvaro, co-host of Beyond a Ballot—a weekly political podcast offering in-depth analysis from a female perspective—for a fireside chat that will be featured in an upcoming episode.

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 the Empire Club podium, six in 10 Torontonians now believe this city’s best days are behind it. Our city’s future prosperity depends on reversing this trend, but how do we tackle this challenge when urban cynicism and mistrust of government is at an all-time high?

On Tuesday, November 25th, join The Empire Club of Canada for a keynote address entitled Getting the Basics Right from Brad Bradford, City Councillor for Beaches–East York and the first major declared candidate for the 2026 mayoral election. Bradford shared what he has heard from residents across the city about their priorities, and his vision to make sure City Hall is working for the Torontonians who make this city work. Bradford’s remarks were followed by a fireside chat with John Moore, Host of Moore in the Morning. 

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 Sarkaria, Ontario’s Minister of Transportation, for a speech entitled Protecting Ontario with Historic Investments in Transportation Infrastructure followed by a fireside chat.

Minister Sarkaria outlined the province’s historic investments in transportation infrastructure, including $70 billion over the next decade to build the largest transit expansion in Canadian history, alongside nearly $30 billion in roads, highways and bridges. He discussed how these record investments are protecting Ontario in the face of U.S. tariffs and economic uncertainly by keeping workers on the job and driving economic growth.

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 Farmerettes (teenage girls from across Canada) responded to the call-to-action and took on a critical task of feeding a country at war. Without knowing it, they sowed seeds of gender equality and economic empowerment that would fuel future generations.

Their story isn’t only about the war effort, it is about how underestimated teens answered the call of duty and accomplished great things, redefining the definition of strength and what was possible for women in the work force.

On November 10th, The Empire Club Foundation together with the Empire Club of Canada presented a private screening of We Lend a Hand: The Forgotten Story of Ontario Farmerettes followed by a panel discussion entitled She Answered the Call that examines an important historical gender role disruption and what it means for today’s workforce, and the power of youth to make change in 2025.

Our expert panel included Bonnie Sitter, Historical Producer of We Lend a Hand and co-author of Onion Skins and Peach Fuzz; Colin Field, Producer and Director of We Lend a Hand, an award-winning director with a background in education and corporate learning, and Lechin Lu, Associate Director at the Institute for Gender and the Economy at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management. This event was moderated by Adrienne Batra, Editor-in-Chief of the Toronto Sun.

Prior to the panel, Gilbert Reid, Historian, Writer, Broadcaster, and Founding Director, The King and Empire Foundation, delivered special remarks on the history of WWII period in Canada and lay the foundation for how a wartime call-to-action broke open opportunities for young women.

This event focused on students and youth attendees who had an opportunity to be a part of ringing the closing bell at the TSX. The Empire Club Foundation also worked with high schools, colleges, and Universities to organize a live virtual screening of both the film and the panel to follow.

This event is made possible through a generous donation from Duncan Jackman and Richard Rooney.

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 accountable?

On November 6, 2025, The Empire Club of Canada presented Decades in 6 Years: Ontario’s Courts Modernization, Digital Transformation, and What’s Next. In this timely address, The Honourable Doug Downey, Attorney General of Ontario, reflected on the significant progress since his appointment six years ago in modernizing Ontario’s courts and advancing digital transformation.

This wide-ranging conversation examined how Ontario is modernizing the justice system from the ground up: cutting through outdated processes, strengthening access to justice, and delivering smarter tools to strengthen our economy, provide services people expect, hold offenders accountable, and keep communities safe. It also looked ahead at what’s next, as the province builds on a plan to protect Ontario and create a justice system that meets the needs of people today—and tomorrow.

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 how Canada’s health systems can improve the quality of Black women’s health?   What lessons can other marginalized communities learn from this survey?   What can sector leaders—particularly those in health and education, which employ many Black women—learn from this event to build healthier and more productive workforces?

On November 4th, The Empire Club of Canada, in partnership with the Black Women’s Institute for Health, will present: Whose Health Counts? Improving Health Outcomes for Black Women and Girls in Canada featuring expert panel:

• Dr. Cindy Maxwell 
  Vice President, Medical Affairs & System Transformation; Lead Medical Executive, Women’s College Hospital

• Dr. Modupe Tunde-Byass 
  Inaugural President, Black Physicians of Canada (BPC); Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (UK and Canada); Staff Obstetrician-Gynecologist, North York General Hospital

• Dr. Bukola Salami 
  Full Professor, Department of Community Health Services, University of Calgary; Registered Nurse; Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Black and Racialized People’s Health

• Moderated by Nam Kiwanuka, host and producer of TVO’s (MIS)Treated

This event will launch a first-of-its kind report of Black Women in Canada entitled Voices Unheard presented by Kearie Daniel, Executive Director of the Black Women’s Institute for Health. 

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 in technology, quantum, Artificial Intelligence, and cryptography.

For the first time as Minister of National Defence, The Empire Club of Canada will host the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Canada’s Minister of National Defence, for a keynote speech and fireside chat on how Canada will meet its 2% NATO target, grow domestic industries, and create jobs for Canadians across the country.  To build a safer world, to defend and advance our values, Canada must do so from a position of strength. If we want a safer world, we need a stronger Canada.

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 resilience to fostering unity through mutual respect and reconciliation.Join us for an event to hear from Premier Kinew on the latest focal point of national debate—Charter rights, the notwithstanding clause and the importance of our rights and freedoms in the pursuit of democratic resilience.On Thursday, October 23rd, The Empire Club of Canada welcomed The Honourable Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba, for an evening keynote and fireside conversation titled, A Stronger Canada. Moderated by David Herle, Co-founder, Air Quotes Media, Host of the Curse of Politics and The Herle Burly podcasts and Partner, Rubicon Strategy, the discussion explored Premier Kinew’s vision for a resilient nation and a prosperous, and inclusive future.

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 premiers to support a united Canada.

On Tuesday October 14th, The Empire Club of Canada is proud to once again welcome The Honourable Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario for a speech entitled Delivering Our Plan to Protect Ontario followed by a fireside chat moderated by Ben Mulroney.

At this timely event before the eve of the return of the Ontario Legislature, Premier Ford will outline the next chapter of The Ontario Government’s plan to protect Ontario — in order to keep our economy and business competitive.

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: Energy, Ambition and Canada’s Future. In this timely address, Greg Ebel, President & CEO of Enbridge Inc., discussed how Canada can turn this window of opportunity into real action — and how energy infrastructure can serve as the foundation for a more globally competitive, sovereign, and resilient economy.From unlocking Indigenous prosperity to restoring investor confidence, this conversation featuring a fireside chat moderated by The Honourable Seamus O’Regan, Senior Business Advisor, Stewart McKelvey (a former Canadian Energy Minister) explored the steps needed to realize Canada’s potential as a global energy superpower.