The Empire Club Foundation Takes a Monumental Step in Preserving Over 4,000 Speeches of Canada’s Rich History
Toronto, ON – October 2, 2024 – The Empire Club Foundation of the Empire Club of Canada proudly announces the successful launch of its new website. Unveiled yesterday at the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library—Canada’s largest publicly accessible collection of rare books and manuscripts—this initiative marks a significant milestone in preserving and sharing the nation’s rich history of public discourse.
Under the leadership of Dr. Gordon McIvor, President of the Empire Club Foundation, and the dedicated efforts of its Board, the new website hosts an archive of over 4,000 speeches. This treasure trove of insights and perspectives from Canada’s most influential leaders provides an unparalleled resource for Canadians and global audiences alike.
The platform not only enhances accessibility but also facilitates research into the Empire Club’s extensive collection of speeches. It empowers Canadians to explore the voices that have shaped the nation’s identity and history.
“The launch of this new and very extensive digital library provides Canadians with an important new source of firsthand historical information, often delivered by the very person who is associated with that history,” said Dr. McIvor. “This kind of original source material is rare and will greatly advance the work of researchers, academics, students, journalists, authors, policymakers, and anyone who needs to know what was said by those who make news in Canada.”
Kent Emerson, the first CEO of the Empire Club of Canada, echoed these sentiments: “Our Foundation’s new website is a significant step in making the voices of the past accessible to all Canadians and audiences worldwide. The Empire Club Foundation has always been committed to preserving and sharing our understanding of history and empowering individuals to learn from our extensive collection of speeches as we strive to create a more inclusive and brighter future.”
For over 120 years, the Empire Club of Canada has served as a prominent forum for engaging, debating, and educating on issues that matter to Canadians. As Canada’s oldest speakers club of record, it has hosted many of the nation’s and the world’s most prominent figures, including Winston Churchill, Ronald Reagan, Indira Gandhi, Bill Gates, and Justin Trudeau, delivering messages that resonate with its influential audience across Canada and abroad.
This new digital initiative represents a monumental resource for Canadians eager to connect with the past. By engaging with the speeches and ideas that have defined national conversations, the Empire Club Foundation helps cultivate a more informed and thoughtful society.
Visit the newly launched website at https://empireclubfoundation.org to explore the rich archive of the Empire Club of Canada.
About the Empire Club Foundation
Established in 1969, the Empire Club Foundation extends the reach of the Empire Club of Canada through various educational programs. It curates, publishes, and distributes speeches and panel discussions hosted by the Club to Canadian schools, universities, and other organizations. Its research archives now constitute an extensive and accessible digital library.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Dr. Gordon K. McIvor
President, Empire Club Foundation
Tel: (519) 622-9494
Cell: (647) 968-9949
Email: [email protected]
Website: gordonmcivor.ca
