Join us on June 4, 2021 for a very Special Speaker
Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health for the City of Toronto
Topic: Covid - Now and the Future
Condolences to the family of Guido Marini
Our Honourary Member Guido Marini passed away on May 10, 2021 in his 92nd year.
Guido joined our club on November 27, 1987. His 40 years of banking background was of great value to our club with his involvement on the Investment Committee and Research & Appeals.
Guido was a delightful lunch companion and will be sorely missed by his bridge buddies Jim Bell and Jack Robertson.
Our thoughts and wishes go out to his four children and nine grandchildren
On May 5, 43 Rotarians and friends shared a profound and moving experience as they took a virtual tour of Canada’s first residential school, the Mohawk Institute in Brantford Ont.
The school opened in 1828 and closed in 1970. During that time, 15,000 Indigenous children passed through its doors. While most residential schools have been demolished or burned down, it was decided that the Mohawk Institute would remain as evidence of the abuse suffered by the children who attended.
The 90-minute virtual tour was hosted by the Indigenous Service Committee and free to participants. A tour guide took them through the rambling and decrepit building, and her stories were interspersed with videotaped evidence from elders who were survivors of the school. The Rotary Club of Toronto Charitable Foundation donated $40,000 seed money to the video project.
Those on the tour were shocked by what they heard: children stripped of their names and referred to only by number; siblings separated so they would never come across each other; malnourished children subjected to medical experiments, hard labour and brutality.
“Finally we are learning what has been done to the Indigenous people of Canada,” said one Rotarian. “It is truly horrific.” “Stories of unbelievable cruelty - very tough to hear but an incredibly important and powerful message to learn from so that we can better participate in truth and reconciliation,” said another. “This history is so important,” said a third. “We must never, ever, allow anything like this to happen again.”
The Indigenous Partnership Working Group, the new iteration of the Indigenous Service Committee, hopes to host another virtual or in-person tour in the next Rotary year.
President's Cocktails, May 19, 2021
This was just an evening of gathering and sharing. Many of us had read the memo and remembered to wear yellow to recognize the Asian Gold Ribbon Campaign. We as Rotarians can lead by example to help eliminate racism and discrimination against all groups. We are all people on this earth.
Welcome New Member Marc Yegani
Marc grew up in Edmonton, Alberta where he worked in the construction industry for a number of years. Beginning as labourer, Marc worked in asphalt and concrete crews and eventually succeed to a supervisory position.
He later graduated from MacEwan University in Edmonton with a B.A. in Philosophy and Mathematics. He is currently completing his graduate degree in Sustainability Management at the University of Toronto.
His work experience includes interning with two sustainable start-up companies thus far.
Marc’s hobbies include traveling, motorcycling, reading and enjoying good conversations with good friends and good wine. Marc has been a long believer in civic engagement and has formerly been a mentor to young men, a successful program coordinator with the Boys’ and Girls’ Club and a Presidential Medal nominated student club president. He current volunteers as a graduate student advisor at the University of Toronto.
What you Missed May 7, 2021by Mark McQuitty
Darcy Higgins of the Environment Committee introduced our guest speaker, Annamie Paul, Leader of Canada’s Green Party and the first black Canadian and first Jewish woman to be elected head of a federal political party in this country.
Ms Paul helped launch an international NGO working on big climate infrastructure projects where she met many global climate experts. That was her “ah hah” moment. The way she’d help make change was through politics in ways that other groups in Society can’t.
There’s a global ‘Green Rush’ going on and every major economy in the world is jockeying for position to take advantage of the greatest economic opportunity since the industrial revolution. Canada has set climate targets and accountability measures but Ms. Paul believes these should be more aggressive. She says if we’re to succeed, we have to keep temperature increases to 1.5 Celsius – to pre-industrial levels.
The Green Party is calling on Canada and the United Nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% below 2005 levels by 2030. The EU, the UK, Germany, the US and other of the most developed economies all believe reducing emissions while growing the economy is possible and doable.
Ms. Paul says the risk for Canada is that if we don’t seize the opportunity of a lifetime we’ll fall behind.
She says it’s time for us to be ambitious. To seize the opportunity of a green recovery. To bend the curve of greenhouse gas emissions while putting in place the infrastructure we need.
And the way she proposes we get to 60% is by updating our regulatory and physical infrastructure.
Ms. Paul made the point that out allies and trading partners are putting their money where their mouths are. That the Canadian people want us to be global leaders. To get on with the job.
She says the next big challenge is the climate. She exhorted our Club and the Environment Committee to go out and talk about this as an exciting time of opportunity. If we combine political will and get organizations like Rotary on board with that message she’s excited for the future.
What You Missed May 14, 2021 by Brian Westlake
President John was back in the city to preside over our virtual meeting. A reminder of events to come included President’s Cocktails on May 19; wearing yellow for Inaugural Gold Ribbon Day May 20; Cooking Club on May 29, which will focus on Camp Scugog inspirations; the Virtual RI Convention June 12-16 and the Virtual District Conference June 26. Lots going on despite the Covid-19 lockdown in Ontario that has now been extended to June 2nd.
Past President, Kevin Power, introduced new member Marc Yegani who was heartily welcomed by President John. Susan Howson, Past President of the Club and Foundation and 30-year member, gave us a Let’s Be Personal glimpse into her successful career as a portfolio manager with Research Capital.
Brian Westlake hosted Sarwar Kashmeri, an international relations specialist, author and commentator and host of Polaris Live, who educated us with his insights into Canada, U.S. and China; Geopolitics and Business. Drawing on the example of a Chinese peasant, who had been send to labour in the fields in Mongolia during the Cultural Revolution, and has now risen to lead a $40 billion hedge fund in Hong Kong, Sarwar underscored the dramatic rise in China to superpower status. 900 million Chinese citizens have been raised from poverty to the middle class in a 40-year period.
China has the second largest economy; more billionaires than the United States; and is minting new billionaires at three times the rate of the U.S.
China has focussed on creating wealth, extending its influence and ensuring that it is invulnerable to assault from its coast. Its Belt and Roads Initiative has extended China’s influence globally and Kashmeri proposes boldly that the United States should join with China in creating global infrastructure, noting China’s expertise in building massive gantry cranes to service ports that now have to accommodate ships which carry 20,000 containers.
Canada as a mid-power, he suggests, should look to other similar nations and create an alternative voice to the stand off between two super powers. A brokered solution with U.S. involvement, is Canada’s best hope for liberating the two Michael’s who languish in Chinese jails in apparent retaliation for the U.S. ordered extradition of a Huawei executive.
Although he spoke to us from New Hampshire, Sarwar has an affection for Canada, with a vacation home in Niagara-on-the-Lake and an enthusiastic appreciation of Toronto. Too short a time to deal with such a complex topic and we can only hope for a repeat visit.
Let's be Personal - by Susan Howson
In 1976 I graduated from University with a BA in history. Due to corporate retrenchments job plans went in the dumper.
I got a job as filing clerk at Wood Gundy. Remember when copies of reports were done using black carbon paper. My job was to separate the copies and send them out. Over nine years I held various jobs and took several securities licensing courses.
I joined Research Capital Corporation in September 1985. I am now a portfolio manager with $165 million in assets. I have over 300 clients and am responsible for overseeing their individual financial needs and goals.
By 1990 I had grown my business and added two members to my family. Life was good but very narrow. I wanted to meet new people, take on challenges and give back to the community. I joined the Rotary Club of Toronto and got involved in many committees, learning something new each time. I have been Club President and President of the Foundation and that was only possible because I knew that Club members would be there to support me as was my family.
The Club has had a Camp sweat equity weekend for over 60 years. Organizing the Camp weekend (executive retreat) has become my major project. The first time I went it was still very much a men’s club but they adapted. There will be no camp weekend this year. I am sorry as I think it exemplifies what being a Rotarian is. The weekend passes the Rotary four way test 100%.
I hope to see you at camp May 27-29, 2022
Fellowship & Entertainment Activities
Pat Neuman, Chair
We are here for the long term so please join in. All events are listed on our Google Calendar accessible through your @rotarytoronto.com account or find the emails sent out in advance. Contact Maureen Bird to set up your access. 416-804-3726.
Virtual Cooking Club, Saturday May 29, 2021
This week Mardi and Neil will be hosting us for Camp Scugog memories. You don't have to cook - it is an opportunity to just chat about your favourite camp meal or memories. Contact Neil if you are not on his list.
nphillips@dgn-marketing.com
RI and District Happenings
Virtual World Water Summit 13 June 3-4, 2021
This year's World Water Summit will focus on the crisis on water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in healthcare facilities (HCFs).
It is reported that in least developed countries 22% of health care facilities have no water service and 21% lack sanitation service.
Confirmed speakers are:
Joanne McGriff, Emory University
John Oldfield, Global Water 2020
Virtual World Water Summit 13 – WASH in Healthcare Facilities
