May 20, 2012

All of the latest news from the International Churchill Society (ICS) Canada in Toronto for Summer 2012.
The nighttime Toronto skyline.
TORONTO

By Terry Reardon

New Member

A very warm welcome is extended to Frances Jean.

2024 International Churchill Conference

Join us for the 41st International Churchill Conference. London | October 2024

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Annual General Meeting

Held on February 29, with new Directors elected, and welcomed to the Board – Kathy Burns and Joan Martyn. One resignation from the Board was Dave Dean, due to time constraints, after his election as Vice Chairman of the Grand Erie District School Board – Dave was thanked for his efforts.

We apologize for the technical “glitch” which resulted in the film, “Winston Churchill: Walking With Destiny” not being shown. Copies of the film were distributed – anyone who attended and did not receive a copy please e-mail Terry Reardon, below, who will order the DVD.

Annual Dinner

On May 10th 2012, the 72nd anniversary of the day when Winston Churchill became Prime Minister of Britain, one hundred and thirty members and guests enjoyed an evening of good fellowship, fine food and wine, and an address by former Churchill Centre President John Plumpton. John talked of Churchill’s special relationship with Canada, which he referred to as the great Dominion. John interspersed his interesting and stimulating speech with amusing anecdotes. One concerned Louis St Laurent. The Canadian P.M. had stipulated that the Royal Canadian Navy should no longer play Rule Britannia. Churchill knew it by heart and loved it passionately. A stern reproving telegram was sent from 10 Downing Street, but St Laurent was unmoved. Churchill was furious and said he would cancel a planned trip to Ottawa. This resulted in his wife Clementine telling him that he was behaving like a spoilt child. It was an ill humoured, uncooperative Churchill who eventually arrived in Ottawa, with St Laurent and the whole of his cabinet assembled at the railway station to greet him. As Churchill stepped down on to the platform the massed bands struck up, “Rule Britannia.” Churchill stood there, hat in hand, with tears pouring down his cheeks – his private secretary Jock Colville wrote that when they returned to London nobody dared to utter even the mildest criticism of Monsieur St Laurent or of Canada.

The recipient of this year’s Churchill award was the Fort York Foundation, represented by one of its Directors, Ed Arundell, who talked of the fundraising which was underway to generate twenty three million dollars for a new visitor centre. Members are encouraged to consider donating – details www.fortyorkfoundation.ca

We are most grateful to our sponsors and we encourage members to support them – Norman Hardie Wines; Artisanal Wine Imports, Smokin Cigar Inc., and Select Wines and Spirits.

ICS Canada/Churchill Centre 29th Annual Conference

Churchill’s North America, The States and Canada, Foe to Friend

As previously advised this year’s conference is in Toronto at the Royal York Hotel, from Thursday, October 11 up to and including Saturday October 13.

The initial stormy relationship between the two countries will be the subject of the first two sessions with speakers from both countries – we will have a strong chairman to ensure that no blows are thrown when the outcome of the “War of 1812” is discussed. Of course Winston Churchill will be front and centre with his “A History of the English Speaking Peoples,” including this period. The following Sessions will be on WW1, the inter war years, WW2 (with a panel of veterans)and post war, including the Cold War, which many consider as starting in Ottawa, with the Gouzenko affair.

Members will shortly receive full details, including special rates secured from the Royal York Hotel.

We hope you will pencil the dates in and join your fellow Churchillians for what will be a fascinating and enjoyable experience.

PayPal

With an electronic payment system being the preferred choice of payment for most people, we are pleased to advise that due to the efforts of our Honorary Webmaster, Ed Kurak, assisted by technical experts on our Board, Barrie Montague and Cliff Goldfarb, this is now offered for renewal memberships. The renewal letter you receive will give details

Library of Parliament Exhibit – Churchill: From Canada to the World

March 26 – June 30, 2012

Sir Winston Churchill visited Canada on 30 December 1941 to address Senators and Members of Parliament in the House of Commons chamber. This exhibit features pages of what is acknowledged to be one of his greatest wartime speeches. Then afterwards Karsh took one of the most famous photographs in history.

This exhibit can be viewed as part of the regular guided tour of the Parliament of Canada. Visit www.parl.gc.ca/visitors for more information about tours.

Comments, suggestions, articles would be appreciated. Please write or e-mail to Terry Reardon, 182 Burnhamthorpe Rd, Toronto, Ontario, M9A 1H6. Tel. 416 231 6803. E-mail: [email protected]. The website for the Society can be found here.