Empire Club of Canada - History

History

Many early members of the Empire Club and previously been affiliated with the Canadian Club of Toronto, a similar organization. The catalyst for the formation of the Empire Club of Canada was the Alaska Boundary Dispute which was resolved by an ad hoc International Boundaries Tribunal in October 1903. The tribunal, consisting of three U.S., one British and two Canadian members, voted 4 to 2 in favour of awarding a large strip on the Pacific coast of Canada (later known as the Alaska Panhandle) to the United States.

While, in some circles at that time, there were strong proponents for greater independence of Canada, a prominent group of local leaders felt there was a need for a new organization that would support the British Empire, as it was felt it would be beneficial to Canada to keep strong political and economic ties with the Empire.

A group of men gathered to draft the constitution for a new club to be named The Empire Club of Canada. This organization, with a plan of weekly luncheons, which would be addressed by prominent individuals who spoke with authority on the issues of the day, and would also have the distinctive basis of the British connection in its work and policy.

Membership was restricted to British subjects—there was no legal Canadian citizenship at the time—who would pay dues of one dollar a year, with a maximum membership of 500. Within a month, membership exceeded 300. A year or two later, the club had a waiting list of those wishing to join. The first luncheon speaker on December 3, 1903 was a clergyman and professor, William Clark, who said: "I can quite understand that to many persons, the formation of a club of this kind will seem a very little thing, ... I have not the least doubt that this Club will become of great influence and power in this Dominion".