Whiff of Grape

  Toronto, ON, Canada

 

Previous Campaigns

2007-8 Campaign

2006-7 Campaign

2005-6 Campaign

2007-8 Campaign Speakers

June Bash 2008
June 16, 2008
Derek Hatfield,  PhD
RCMP Fraud Officer and Rolex Sailor of the Year

Our speaker, Derek Hatfield, is the first and only Canadian to qualify for the upcoming single-handed, non-stop without assistance, race around the world, the Vendé Globe 2008.

Derek is a former RCMP fraud officer and was Rolex Sailor of the Year in 2003. In 2003, he was the 126th sailor in history to finish a single-handed race around the world.  Starting in September 2002 at the age of 50, and finishing 3rd after 182 days racing on the water - he sailed over 28,700 nautical miles single-handedly, finishing 3rd in the Open 40 Spirit of Canada having pitch-poled(1) and dismasted his boat off the coast of Cape Horn, and spent five weeks repairing the boat, before getting back into the race!

On November 9, 2008, Derek will sail the first Open 60 built in Canada, the Spirit of Canada, from les Sables d'Olonne France, rounding Cape of Good Hope at the tip of Africa, entering the Indian Ocean, then the Southern Ocean, dancing around icebergs, rounding Cape Horn, finishing back 84 days later in France in the spring of 2009.


Please join us on the shore of Humber Bay for a fine June evening at The Boulevard Club to hear Derek talk about the challenges, both as a sailor and financially, in competing in what is known as the "Everest of the Seas".  It will be a fascinating climax to our 40th year!

For more details on the AroundTogether opportunity with the Spirit of Canada visit www.spiritofcanada.net  and VendeeGlobe Skippers - Derek Hatfield
(1) pitchpoled - to capsize end over end in heavy surf

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Emergence of Northern Democracies
April 29, 2008
Dr. Ernest S. 'Tiger' Burch,  PhD
Social Anthropologist and Historical Ethnographer

Dr. Ernest S. ‘Tiger’ Burch is one of North America’s leading social anthropologists and historical enthnographers who has researched and written extensively about the northern peoples, especially those of northwestern Alaska and the central Canadian Sub-Arctic.  With the emergence of newly-established ‘democratic’ regions, notably Nunavut covering the vast area from northwest and northeast Hudson’s Bay to the North Pole, Canada has a new and particular interest in how these peoples are acclimatizing and how their lives are developing.

Dr. Burch has lived and studied in the north-western regions of the continent, where he witnessed first-hand the hunter-gatherer populations, particularly with the early periods of the Iñupiaq Eskimos of north-western Alaska.  His extensive list of publications dates back to 1971, when he was faculty member at the University of Manitoba.  While an American citizen, he has been recognized equally on both sides of the border for his knowledge of the various kinds of transactions that took place between the northern peoples.

Recently, Tiger published three major volumes of his comprehensive studies of the hunter-gatherer populations, examining every topic of significance, ranging from social relationships and settlement structure to nineteenth-century material culture.  These have been noted as the tour-de-force of Dr. Burch’s life-long efforts, documenting indigenous peoples of the North.

Dr. Burch has received many distinctions for his outstanding work, including the Professional Achievement Award of the Alaska Anthropological Association, Member, U.S. Man and the Biosphere Program, High Latitude Ecosystems Directorate (1995-1998), Member, Polar Research Board, National Academy of Sciences’ National Research Council (1993-1997), and including several years of Canada Council Research Grants.

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The Real Beauty of Botox
March 25, 2008
Dr. Chris Boulias,  PhD, MD, FRCPC
Scientist, Researcher, Physician

Dr. Chris Boulias is centrally involved at West Park Healthcare Centre with the spasticity clinic, treating patients who are undergoing rehabilitation following a stroke or other medically-related condition that causes muscles to continually and involuntarily contract.

Doctors at West Park use Botox, the botulinum toxin, to treat this condition.  This neurotoxin, produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, is one of the world’s most poisonous substances.  Ingesting live spores from improperly-prepared meat or unpasturized food can be fatal because the toxin paralyzes respiratory muscles.  It is the power to paralyze that doctors are investigating in order to harness this aspect to treat spasticity. 

Dr. Chris Boulias is a clinician at West Park and also a Lecturer in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto.  He also serves as President, Medical Staff Association, at West Park.

Chris is a personable physician who cares deeply about his patients and the treatment that they receive.  While he admits that the treatment will not be life-saving, it has demonstrated capabilities that enhance qualities of life and provides those patients with optimism and renewed capabilities that they had lost.  Indeed, Dr. Boulias’s dedication to the treatment of spasticity is to be recognized for the importance that medical attention is giving to a serious condition that before was left unattended.   For a recent press release on Dr Boulias' work visit Conquering Everyday Challenges of Stroke Rehabilitation

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Space
February 25, 2008
Dr. Roberta Lynn Bondar,  OC, O.Ont, BSc, MSc, PhD, DSc, MD, FRCP©, FRSC
Chancellor, Trent University

Dr. Bondar is a neurologist and researcher. After internship in internal medicine at Toronto General Hospital, she completed post-graduate medical training in neurology at the University of Western Ontario; neuro-opthalmology at Tuft’s New England Medical Center (Boston) and the Playfair Neuroscience Unit of Toronto Western Hospital; and carotid Doppler ultrasound and transcranial Doppler at the Pacific Vascular Institute (Seattle). She was appointed Assistant Professor of Medicine (Neurology), McMaster University, 1982-84; Scientific staff, Sunnybrook Medical Centre, Toronto, 1988-present; Visiting Research Scholar, Department of Neurology, University of New Mexico, 1993-95; Adjunct Professor, Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, 1992-1994; Distinguished Professor, CATE, Ryerson, 1992-present; Visiting Distinguished Fellow, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, 1993-94; Visiting Distinguished Professor, Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Western Ontario, 1994-present.

She was one of the six original Canadian astronauts selected in December, 1983 and began astronaut training in February, 1984. She served as chairperson of the Canadian Life Sciences Subcommittee for Space Station from 1985 to 1989, and as a member of the Ontario Premier’s Council on Science and Technology from 1988 to 1989. In early 1990, she was designated a prime Payload Specialist for the first International Microgravity Laboratory Mission (IML-1). Dr. Bondar flew on the space shuttle Discovery during Mission STS-42, January 22-30, 1992 where she performed life science and material science experiments in the Spacelab and on the mid-deck during her 8 days, 1 hour and 44 minutes onboard.

Dr. Roberta Bondar left the Canadian Space Agency effective September 4, 1992, to pursue her research.

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A Former Commissioner's Reflections
January 29, 2008
Tom Wright,  B.PHE., MBA
11th Commissioner of the Canadian Football League

Tom Wright, B.PHE., MBA was appointed the CFL's 11th Commissioner on November 2, 2002.  Wright attended Upper Canada College, the University of Toronto and York University. Prior to his role with the CFL, he was President of Adidas Canada and President and CEO of Salomon North America. He is involved in several charitable organizations, and was the Chairman of the Special Olympics of Canada within which he has been involved for 23 years.

After due deliberation the Junta has drafted the following questions for our speaker:
  • 2007 Grey Cup---How did the Toronto Argonauts gross $15,000,000 and earn a profit of $5,000,000 for a game in which they did not play?
  • Is the possibility and /or reality of an NFL franchise in Toronto a threat to the CFL?
  • What was it really like to have eight bosses who are competitors with one another?
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The Future of Higher Education in Ontario
November 27, 2007
Dr. Robert 'Squee' Gordon,
President Emeritus, Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning

Dr. Robert (Squee) Gordon has spent more than forty years in public education, including seven as President of Dawson College in Montreal and twenty-five as President of Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning in Toronto.

Squee's background includes an Honours BA in History and a Master's Degree in Modern British History from Bishop's University, a Master's Degree in Educational Administration from the University of Massachusetts, a Master's Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University, and a Doctorate in Educational Administration from the University of Massachusetts.

Dr. Gordon has been active locally, nationally, and internationally in education matters, and, more recently, his many contributions have been recognized through three honorary Doctorate degrees in Laws (Guelph), Civil Law (Bishop's), and Letters (New Brunswick), each honoris causa.

His distinguished career has attracted the awards of many medals and citations, and his great abilities have attracted his commitment to provincial and national committees, as well as through significant international involvements, for the advancement of education.  Notably, he served an unprecedented three terms as Chair of the Committee of Presidents of Community Colleges in Ontario.  Recently, he accepted responsibility as President of the Corporation of Bishop's University.
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A Man for All Seasons
October 30, 2007 - Family Night
Dr. John Mighton,
Ph.D,
Founder, JUMP Math

John Mighton developed the “JUMP” program (Junior Undiscovered Math Prodigies) to help children learn mathematics and he has published “The Myth of Ability“ on the same subject. The“ JUMP” program contends that every child can master math.

John is a playwright, philosopher and mathematician:
  • He won the $100,000 Siminovitch Prize, presented to a professional playwright who advances Canadian theatre through a body of work and influences emerging theatre artists. He has won two Dora Mavor Moore Awards for his plays and has won a Governor General’s Award for Drama.
  • He has lectured in Philosophy at Mc Master University.
  • He earned a PhD in mathematics from the University of Toronto. John was awarded an NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada) post-doctoral fellowship for research in mathematics at the Field Institute.
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Toronto Chapter 40th Anniversary Reunion Dinner
September 25, 2007
Brian Gallery, Founder of Whiff of Grape


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2006-7 Campaign Speakers

A Cornucopia of Crime & Terrorism - Closer than you think!
April 24,
2007
Chris Mathers

Crime and Risk Consultant

Chris Mathers spent most of his adult life working undercover for the RCMP, US Drug Enforcement Administration and the US Customs Service. Posing as a gangster, a drug trafficker and finally as a money launderer, Mathers has done it all, and his book, "CRIME SCHOOL: Money Laundering" tells it all.

Chris Mathers retired after a 20-year career with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. At the time of his retirement, he was the senior undercover operator at the RCMP Proceeds of Crime Section where he established and operated a number of “storefront” money laundering businesses in Canada and the US, targeting Colombian, Russian and Asian organized crime groups. Chris personally infiltrated criminal organizations in North America, the Caribbean, Latin America and Europe.

In 1995, Chris joined the Forensic division of the international accounting firm, KPMG. In 1999, he was appointed to the position of President of KPMG Corporate Intelligence Inc. where he was responsible for international due diligence, asset recovery operations and the investigation and prevention of organized crime and money laundering.

In 2004, Chris established his own firm, chrismathers inc. where he provides crime and risk consulting services to selected domestic and international clients.

In 2005, Chris concluded an offshore asset tracing assignment on behalf of the Independent Inquiry Committee into the United Nations Oil-For-Food Programme.

As a speaker, Chris’ controversial style describes the secret underworld of gangsters and terrorists, explaining the terms and identifying the characters, in a candid, no-punches-pulled style that is consistent with this extraordinary man.

Chris is a popular media commentator and speaker and has served as a consultant on several feature films and documentaries relating to organized crime, espionage and money laundering. He recently completed filming the pilot episode of FraudWatch, a reality television production that examines the current epidemic of fraud worldwide.

Chris is currently completing his first fiction book entitled, "The Six Man".

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Chindia - Global Implications of Rapid Changes in China & India
March 27, 2007 - Family Night
Allan Seychuk, M.A. (Econ.), CFA
Economist, Philips Hager and North

Alan's talk focused on these key facts:   Did you know?

  • One third of world population, with rural poor moving to cities for work
  • GDP growth rates of 2-3 times that of Canada & USA
  • Population growth slowed by one-child policies
  • Literacy & education issues, but catching up quickly. Numbers of highly educated persons exceed North America
  • Combined land area 1.4 times that of Canada
  • Demand, supply and price pressures apparent on commodities & energy
  • Both transitioning from state-centric to market-based economies
  • Projected to be the world’s two largest economies in 50 years.
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The Politics of Law and Order
February
27, 2007
Julian Fantino, C.O.M., O. Ont.

Commissioner, Ontario Provincial Police

Commissioner Fantino was:

·         Born in Vendoglio, Italy, 1942

·         Awarded the Order of Ontario in 2003

·         Chief of Police - Toronto, 2002-2005
York Region 1998-2000
London Ontario 1991-1998

·         Ontario Commissioner of Emergency Management, 2005-2006

·     Front and centre in policing controversies on:

o        Drug and homicide squads and criminal intelligence

o        Racial profiling statistics

o        Outreach to gay community through a fab cover story

o        Child pornography investigations & associated media coverage

o        Opposition to external reviews on police conduct in Toronto

o        Controversy surrounding sons of a former chief

o        Operation True Blue – windshield stickers for donors.

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The Washington diaries 1981-1989
January 30th, 2007
Allan Ezra Gotlieb,   CC, LL.D., LL.B., MA.

Canadian Ambassador to United States, 1981-1989

Allan Ezra Gotlieb, public servant (b at Winnipeg, Man 28 Feb 1928). A Rhodes scholar and international lawyer with a reputation for intellectual toughness, Gotlieb joined the Department of External Affairs (now FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE) in 1957, a year after being called to the Bar of England (Inner Temple). He was assistant undersecretary and legal adviser 1967-68. A member of P.E. TRUDEAU'S inner circle, he was deputy minister of the new Department of Communications 1968-73 and of Manpower and Immigration 1973-76.

He returned to External Affairs as undersecretary 1977-81 and was ambassador to Washington (1981-89) where he played a highly visible role under both Liberal and Conservative prime ministers. He is the author of Disarmament and International Law (1965), Canadian Treaty-Making (1968), Impact of Technology on International Law (1982),  I'll Be With You in a Minute, Mr. Ambassador (1989) and The Washington Diaries 1981-1989 (2006)

Gotlieb was Chairman of the Canada Council (1989-94) and in 1989 W.L. Mackenzie King Visiting Professor at Harvard University. He received the Outstanding Achievement Award, Government of Canada in 1983. Gotlieb is currently chairman of Burston Marsteller Canada and a senior adviser in the law firm Bennett Jones. He is married to Sondra Gotlieb.

  • Canadian public servant, author and prodigious art collector.
  • BA from University of California at Berkeley, MA Oxford University as a Rhodes scholar, and LL.B. from Harvard.
  • Advocate on realism in international relations and known for skills as a respected participant in the complex world of politics and diplomacy.
  • Chairman, the Donner Canadian Foundation and Sotheby's Canada.
  • Director, Gardiner Museum of Ceramic Art.
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Canadian Armed Forces & National Defense Policy:
Are We Ready for What the Future Holds?

November 28th, 2006
Kitson Vincent
President, Smith, Vincent & Co. Ltd.
Member of the underground royal commission, on “Does Your Vote Count?”

Mr. Vincent is the founder and Chairman of Stornoway Productions, a Toronto-based television production company established in 1983, internationally renowned for its public affairs documentaries. Stornoway's documentaries include: "Canada's Brain Drain", recently broadcast on Global TV, "Secrets in High Places" a documentary on government accountability and "A Question of Honour" which explores Canada's military and foreign policy.

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Equalization and the Fiscal Imbalance
October 24th, 2006
Fred Gorbet, O.C., C.M., Ph.D.
CIT Chair in Financial Services & Director Financial Services Program, Schulich School of Business, York University

Fred Gorbet is currently the CIT Chair in Financial Services and Co-Director of the Financial Services Program at the Schulich School of Business, York University. He has extensive experience in public policy advice and formulation, particularly with regard to financial institutions and energy policy. During a 25-year career in the Canadian public service, he served as Senior Policy Advisor to the Department of Energy, Director of Policy for the International Energy Agency in Paris, Associate Secretary to the Cabinet for Strategic Policy and Deputy Minister of Finance.

Since leaving the public service, Fred has held senior executive positions in the life insurance industry. He has served as Executive Director of the MacKay Task Force, as Executive Director of the Saucier Task Force on Corporate Governance, as senior policy advisor to Credit Union Central of Canada on the National Initiative, and as the founding chair of the Market Surveillance Panel for administered electricity markets in Ontario.

In addition to his work at Schulich, Fred is currently a director of Assuris, the Credit Union Central of Ontario, LAWPRO, the North American Electric Reliability Council, the Institute for Research on Public Policy, Covenant House Toronto and Alterna Savings, where he is Vice Chair of the Board.

He has recently completed an assignment as a member of the Panel of Experts reviewing the federal Equalization Program, and continues to chair the Canadian Advisory Board for the CEPRA project, which provides economic and policy advice to Russia in the areas of fiscal federalism and public finance. He serves on two advisory committees to the Auditor-General of Canada and is a Senior Fellow of the C.D. Howe Institute.

Fred has a BA from York University and a PhD in Economics from Duke University. He is a member of the Advisory Council to the Dean of the Schulich School of Business and an Honorary Governor of York University.

He was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2000.

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Condelezza Rice’s Vision of a “New Middle East” Good or Bad?
September 26th, 2006
Kenneth Taylor, OC, B.A, MBA, LL.D

Ambassador Taylor:

   • Assisted Americans escape USA Embassy under 1979 siege in Iran

   • Former Canadian Counsel General to New York City

   • Past Chancellor of Victoria University in the U of T

   • Officer of the Order of Canada and Congressional Gold Medal

   • Remains a Canadian citizen, who resides in New York

   • Honoured with Order of Constantine.

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Meetings Archive

Coming soon ...

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