David Wilson is Professor of Celtic Studies and History at the University of Toronto and General Editor of the Dictionary of Canadian Biography. He is the author or editor of twelve books, including a prize-winning two-volume biography of Thomas D’Arcy McGee. His most recent work, Canadian Spy Story: Irish Revolutionaries and the Secret Police, has won multiple awards. He was interviewed for his previous book The History of the Future here.
Category Archives: Past
Chris Fleming PhD, SGS Senior Metallurgical Consultant, “The Gold Market”, April 29, 2025
Chris Fleming has a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Cape Town in South Africa and has spent much of his 51-year career in research and management. He has authored or co-authored over 90 technical publications, been awarded 14 patents, and contributed to several technical books on various aspects of extractive metallurgy. He has directed research teams and consulted in the industry on many hydrometallurgical projects and operations, particularly in gold leaching and recovery.
He is recognized throughout the industry for his contributions to the commercialization of the carbon-in-pulp and resin-in-pulp processes in gold extraction, as well as for the development of the SART, Augment, and Hannah process for cyanide recovery and the Platsol process for the simultaneous recovery of base metals and platinum group metals by pressure oxidation.
Whiffers enjoyed an evening of real education on a topic that most of us did not know much about. People particularly enjoyed the historical perspective and putting gold in the current context. Continue reading Chris Fleming PhD, SGS Senior Metallurgical Consultant, “The Gold Market”, April 29, 2025
Ronald Deibert, Founder and Director of the Citizen Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto, March 25, 2025
Ron Deibert, (O.C., O.Ont., PhD, University of British Columbia) is Professor of Political Science, and the founder and Director of the Citizen Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto. The Citizen Lab is an interdisciplinary laboratory focusing on research, development, and high-level strategic policy and legal engagement at the intersection of information and communication technologies, human rights, and global security.

In Feb 2025, Ron published Chasing Shadows and the story behind it is the subject of his talk. In this real-life spy thriller, cyber security expert Ron uncovers the unseemly marketplace for high-tech surveillance, professional disinformation, and computerized malfeasance. He reveals how his team of digital sleuths at the Citizen Lab have lifted the lid on dozens of covert operations targeting innocent citizens everywhere. You’ll never look at your smartphone the same way again.
Continue reading Ronald Deibert, Founder and Director of the Citizen Lab at the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, University of Toronto, March 25, 2025
June Bash, Monday, June 9, 2025

Your Junta is pleased to announce that the 2025 June Bash will be returning to the RCYC on the Island on Monday, June 9th. We have already received confirmations from 60 Whiffers and guests that they will be attending the 2025 June Bash. We are hoping for as lovely an early summer evening as we enjoyed at the previous two very successful June Bashes.
The event ticket is $125 per person and it includes:
— a launch pass to the island;
— a veranda reception with hors d’oeuvres from 6 -7;
— followed by a fine dinner with wine in the ballroom.
Peter Baines has again arranged for a short tour of the RCYC’s island facilities conducted by RCYC Archivist and Curator, Beverley Darville, before the reception. Please indicate in your RSVP if you would like to join the tour.
Join fellow Whiffers and guests on Monday, June 9th at the RCYC
The reception at the RCYC begins at 6:00 pm.
Please note: there is a limit of 100 attendees for this meeting.
Christine Williams, PhD, “Moonshots & Groundshots” at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, February 25, 2025
Continue reading Christine Williams, PhD, “Moonshots & Groundshots” at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research, February 25, 2025 Jonathan Kay, “The State of the Media in Canada” Quillette editor and podcast host, January 28, 2025
Neil Hetherington, CEO, Daily Bread Food Bank, November 26, 2024
Ontario is facing record-breaking food bank usage — what’s driving the surge?
Neil Hetherington joined Daily Bread Food Bank as CEO in January 2018. Neil began his career in project management at Tridel Construction, Canada’s largest condominium developer. In September 2000, he made a career change by joining Habitat for Humanity Toronto, at the time as the youngest CEO of a Habitat affiliate in the world. Continue reading Neil Hetherington, CEO, Daily Bread Food Bank, November 26, 2024Marie Henein LL.M., Partner, Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP, October 29, 2024
widely recognized as one of the most prominent litigators in Canada, with extensive experience as lead counsel on high-profile criminal, civil, and regulatory cases. In addition to her broad criminal law practice, Ms. Henein’s experience includes acting as lead counsel for plaintiffs and defendants in class actions and in respect of major civil and commercial disputes. Ms. Henein has argued at all levels of court, including the Ontario Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. Continue reading Marie Henein LL.M., Partner, Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP, October 29, 2024 John Tory – The Challenges Facing Toronto, September 24, 2024
June Bash, Monday, June 3, 2024
The 2024 June Bash returned to the RCYC on the Island on Monday, June 3rd. We were again lucky and enjoyed another lovely early summer evening as we had at the very successful post-pandemic 2023 June Bash.
The event ticket was $125 per person and it included: a launch pass to the island; a veranda reception with hors d’oeuvres from 6 -7; followed by a fine dinner with wine in the ballroom.
Peter Baines again arranged for a short tour of the RCYC’s island facilities conducted by RCYC Archivist and Curator, Beverley Darville.
