Founding of the Empire Club plaque, 2024.  

Plaque Text

On this site in 1903, the Empire Club of Canada was established as a place for political discussion. Focused on British imperialism and the link between Canada and the British Empire, the club met at Harry Webb's Restaurant.

The desire to start the club arose after a dispute between Canada and the
United States over the Alaskan border. Britain sided with America in resolving
the issue, resulting in anti-British attitudes in Canada.

The club held its first meeting on December 3, 1903. Lord Strathcona, the
Canadian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, was elected honorary
president, and Joseph Chamberlain, the British Secretary of State for the
Colonies from 1895 to 1903, the first honorary member.

Over many decades, the club evolved into a speakers' forum for a broad range
of topics. During this time, some speakers at the Empire Club expressed views
that perpetuated and reinforced colonial attitudes and oppression. Today,
speakers at the club present a range of attitudes and beliefs.

Since 1903, the club has hosted talks by influential people including astronaut
Roberta Bondar, inventor Alexander Graham Bell, British Prime Minister
Winston Churchill, Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, Indian Prime Minister
Indira Gandhi, actress Audrey Hepburn, US President Ronald Reagan, and the
Dalai Lama, Tibet's spiritual leader.