The Canadian Club of Toronto was founded in 1897 to encourage interest in Canadian public affairs.^[2] It subsequently developed a role as an opinion-formation vehicle for some of Toronto's most prominent citizens.

Speeches were initially given in the evening, but starting in 1902, the club moved to its present lunchtime format.^[3] In 1903, several members of the Canadian Club, concerned that the club was not sufficiently opposed to the wave of anti-British sentiment being expressed in the wake of the Alaskan Boundary Tribunal decision, left the Canadian Club to found the more pro-British Empire Club of Canada.^[3]

In the days before radio and television, the club provided a chance for influential Torontonians to have contact with Canadian and international leaders in a variety of fields. Today, the club hosts events in a number of different formats, but most events use the traditional luncheon style.^[4]

Speakers that addressed the club since 2000 have included Paul Martin,^[5] Stephen Harper,^[6] Vladimir Putin,^[7] Justin Trudeau,^[8] Paul Bremer,^[9] Bob Rae,^[10] Michael Dell,^[11] Jean Charest,^[12] John de Chastelain,^[13] Hillary Clinton,^[14] Gloria Macapagal Arroyo,^[15] Margaret Atwood,^[16] Karen Kain,^[17] The Right Honourable David Johnston,^[18] David Frum,^[19] Pamela Wallin,^[20] David Suzuki,^[21] Beverley McLachlin,^[22] Dalton McGuinty,^[23] Belinda Stronach,^[24] David Dodge,^[25] Pinball Clemons,^[26] Galen Weston Jr.,^[27] Louise Arbour,^[28] Adrienne Clarkson,^[29] Donovan Bailey,^[30] Mark Carney^[31] and Jack Layton.^[32]

• Official website