Bob’s presentation was about the sinking of Monterey, a Farr 56, about 200 miles south of Bermuda, during the 2017 Antigua Bermuda Race and the safety lessons learned.
Continue reading Bob Medland, “May 17, 2017 – A Night to Remember”, November 28, 2023
Download printable PDF from here
Author of John Turner: An Intimate Biography of Canada’s 17th Prime Minister
“One of the most glamorous and successful politicians in Canadian history”
In this masterful and engaging biography, acclaimed journalist Steve Paikin brings to life John Turner (1929-2020), one of the most glamorous and successful politicians in Canadian history. Born in England and raised in B.C., Turner was a champion sprinter – setting the Canadian record in the 100-yard dash when he ran 9.8 seconds at a meet in 1947 – and a Rhodes Scholar who captured the national imagination as an escort for Princess Margaret on her 1959 Canadian tour.
Continue reading Steve Paikin, October 31, 2023, Author of John Turner: An Intimate Biography of Canada’s 17th Prime Minister
Iain Dobson is an internationally recognized expert on city development, urban mobility and transit systems. He advocates for fact-based planning decisions. He currently publishes a bi-monthly report on how many office employees are back in the office. His talk will examine the lasting effects of the COVID pandemic, the new debate about work-from-home and the financial impact it is having on city centres.
Since 2000, when Iain retired from a successful 25-year career in commercial real estate development, he has focused on bringing the principles of evidence-based value planning in the private and public sectors to development and investment decisions. He co-founded the Strategic Regional Research Alliance, a research body which partners with all levels of government and the private sector to provide a better understanding of the components and complexities of making informed infrastructure investment decisions. He also co-founded The Value Planning Group and the Real Estate Search Corporation, which satisfies the ever-growing need for comprehensive, reliable, accurate independently collected data.
Continue reading Iain Dobson, The Impact of Remote Work on Cities, September 26, 2023
Download printable PDF from here
Finally, after a three-year Covid hiatus, the 2023 June Bash on Monday, June 5th returned to the RCYC on the Island. Event tickets @ $125 per person included a launch pass to the Island, a reception, hors d’oeuvres, and a fine dinner, including wine. The reception began at 6:00 pm. A short tour of the RCYC’s Island facilities was arranged by Peter Baines that began at 5:30pm and was conducted by the RCYC Curator and Archivist, Beverley Darville.
The evening was a great success with 77 attendees on a lovely early summer evening. Canapes & drinks on the upstairs verandah after a great tour of the RCYC buildings and historical memorabilia. (The Whiff made a donation on behalf of members to the RCYC’s Archive Acquisition Fund in appreciation for the tours.) A lovely dinner in the Ballroom with introductions of first time guests and a tribute to the outgoing Junta, was capped off with a great sunset view of the city.
A special pamphlet was prepared and distributed on the tables. A copy of it can be downloaded from here.
Fellow Whiffer, Chris Twigge-Molecey, has been asked to give us an update on his March 2019 talk on China. With the coronation of Xi Jinping for a third term as CCP General Secretary, have China’s global ambitions changed and what should we, as Canadians, really worry about?
Chris has been developing and leading businesses in China for over 20 years and brings to us a businessman’s perspective on opportunities during these times of troubled bi-lateral relations. Swamped with stories of Chinese IP theft and election interference, we have lost sight of the Belt and Road Initiative, (the BRI), China’s massive and largely successful geopolitical strategy.
Continue reading Dr. Chris Twigge-Molecey, Understanding China’s global ambitions and the Belt and Road Initiative, April 25, 2023
Ken is a long time active member of the Toronto Whiff who now lives in Peterborough. Born and raised in North Toronto, his post-secondary education saw him attend Ridley College and then the University of Toronto, majoring in psychology. He then began a 30-year executive career with Imperial Oil Limited, Exxon Corporation and Esso Inter-America which meant moving 18 times to support his roles in marketing, strategic planning and human resources. In his 50s, he joined accounting giant Coopers and Lybrand as a management consultant and, on behalf of the Canadian Executive Services Organization, served as a company consultant in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia until his dream job was offered to him – running Outward Bound Canada.
Continue reading Ken Powell, “Civilizations Collide in the Search For a Northwest Passage”, March 28, 2023
John Fraser is no stranger to the Whiff membership. John first spoke to us 12 years ago, when his topic was Through a glass darkly: Why academics (and journalists) should never try to predict anything. His most recent talk was at our November 2020 Whiff@Home meeting on What to do about China!. Following that meeting, he became a member of the Whiff. Continue reading John Anderson Fraser, The Monarchy in Canada: an update, February 28, 2023
Bev Moir‘s career took her from ‘health’ care to ‘wealth’ care. After completing a nursing science degree at Queen’s University and a graduate degree in health administration at the University of Alberta, she spent 20 years in health care, primarily in academic tertiary care settings. During the early 1990s, she sought another opportunity and spent 26 years at Scotia Wealth Management, building and leading a wealth advisory practice.
In 2019, Bev was diagnosed with stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and given a life expectancy of six months to three years. As the reality hit, it’s not surprising her priorities shifted. By February 1, 2020, she successfully transitioned her practice to another Scotia Wealth advisor to spend her remaining time with family and friends doing what she enjoys.
Continue reading Dr Alexander Louie, Scientist, and Bev Moir, Lung Cancer Advocate: “Why lung cancer should be on your radar”, January 31, 2023
