Lindsay Canadian Club’s 88th season begins Oct. 9

The Lindsay Canadian Club returns for its 88th season with a lineup of speakers covering a range of topics of international, national, and local significance.

Getting things underway on Oct. 9 2024 will be Jessica Topfer, whose topic is “Rural Responsiveness: How the Nourish and Develop Foundation Fills Gaps in Food and Social Security.” Topfer, executive director of TNDF, will offer insight into TNDF’s unique approach and the collective impact of its programs in fostering a thriving, food-secure, and well-supported community.

Jane Cooper and Rhonda Gossen will be speaking on Nov. 13 2024 on the subject of “Canada’s international support for democracy Are we stepping forward or stepping back?” Cooper is a researcher who has worked with international development organizations and is author of What Ukrainian Elections Taught Me About Democracy. Gossen is a former Canadian diplomat and Canadian International Development Agency manager, a consultant to the United Nations, and author of The Twelfth of February: Canadian Aid for Gender Equality during the Rise of Violent Extremism. Together, they will be leading a conversation on Canada’s support for democratic processes abroad – with a focus on cases in Pakistan and Ukraine.

After a break for December, the Lindsay Canadian Club returns on January 8 2025, when Amy Terrill, executive director of BGC Kawarthas, will speak on the subject of “BGC Kawarthas: Challenges & Opportunities for the Future.” Drawing on the organization’s more than half a century of service, Terrill will discuss some the challenges and opportunities for BGC Kawarthas moving forward.

Things change up in February 12 2025 with “Reflections on Old Victoria County: Remembering Rae Fleming Through Community Storytelling.” Join the creators, collaborators, and contributors of Reflections for a panel discussion about how this collection of local lore came to be and how it pays tribute to the legacy of a celebrated historian and author.

In keeping with the theme of local heritage but looking at it from a different angle is Laura Love, who will be addressing the club on March 12 2025. In “Musings on Memory: A Curator’s Perspective on the Past,” Love – economic development officer in charge of curatorial services for the City of Kawartha Lakes – will talk about why intangible relics of the past (such as the stories we tell) matter as much as three-dimensional artefacts.

The 2024-2025 season will wrap up on April 16 2025, when the club will host a discussion about “Active Transportation: Challenges & Opportunities.” What are the challenges of changing a car-first municipal mindset, what needs to happen to get there, and what are the many benefits of active transportation? Stay tuned for details. 

The LCC will once again be meeting at the Royal Canadian Legion (12 York Street, Lindsay). Attendees are encouraged to grab a bite to eat downtown before coming to events, which get underway at 7:00 p.m. after a half-hour social time starting at 6:30 p.m.

Non-members can purchase tickets via canadianclublindsay.com/join, or pay at the door. Lindsay Canadian Club events are $10 ($5 for students), and a season’s membership can be purchased for $50 ($25 for students). For more information, please visit canadianclublindsay.com/upcomingspeakers.