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ABOUT THE CANADA CLUB

OUR HERITAGE

Few clubs can claim, as the Canada Club can, to have existed for over 200 years as a purely social club bringing people together for wonderful dinners and to hear notable speakers. Founded in 1810 by fur traders who wintered in London to sell the furs trapped in the Canadian territories, the Canada Club is in fact older than Canada itself and is the oldest Canadian institution outside of Canada. Since its early beginnings, the Canada Club has hosted a combination of Great Dinners and Great Speeches, and through the years has been a London tradition for Canadians as well as their British and International friends.

With no fixed address, and no fixed calendar, The Canada Club generally hosts two events per year in London, both with a Canadian or Canada-linked speaker or theme. Dinners are typically a unique mix of black-tie formality with a relaxed, friendly Canadian feel. Members and their guests enjoy a multi-course meal and, afterwards, guest speakers address the Club. Topics range from international affairs and global public policy to science & innovation or arts & culture. Whatever the topic, speakers are inspirational leaders in the global community whom we think our Members would be very eager to meet. Dinners are private events and due to Canada Club tradition are off-the-record and are held under the Chatham House Rule.

The Freemasons’ Tavern on Great Queen Street, Holborn, where the Canada Club was founded on 20th October 1810

The Canada Club was founded on a permanent basis at a meeting held at the Freemasons’ Tavern on the 20th October 1810 for those “who had resided in Canada for some time”. The names of the original 26 founding fur traders are given below. Except for a few short breaks, notably during the Second World War, Canada Club Dinners have taken place ever since.

Names of the Original Members

(Elected in 1810 and in the next few years)

Thomas Forsyth
Isaac Todd
Simon MacGillivray
John Henry
Alexander Gillespie

William Henderson William Parket Henry Usborne John Gillespie John Craigie

A.N. McLeod
Adam Lymburner
John Stewart
N. Newberry
Sir Alexander Mackenzie*

Robert Gillespie
John Blackwood Jr.
Hart Logan
William MacGillivray
D. McTavish

Edward Ellice
Alexander Auldjo
William Maitland
Angus Shaw
George Ratcliffe

*The Hon. Alexander Mackenzie, who arguably made the most significant journey in the whole of the 18th century exploration by traversing the North American landmass for the first time, was one of the Founder Members of the Canada Club in 1810.

OUR FORMER ROYAL PATRON

The Canada Club was honoured to enjoy the support of our Former Royal Patron, His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. An Honorary Member since 1951, H.R.H. The Prince Philip became the Club’s Patron in 1954 until his death in 2021. The Duke of Edinburgh addressed the Canada Club on several occasions including our Bicentennial Dinner at St James’s Palace in 2010. In 2014, the Canada Club celebrated the 60th Anniversary of our Former Royal Patron at a special reception held at Buckingham Palace.

CLUB RULES

  • Respect the Club, its speakers and our welcoming hosts.
  • Treat events as an opportunity to relax, rather than for business.
  • The use of mobiles and cameras is not permitted.
  • Ensure your guests behave appropriately – they remain your responsibility.
  • Toasting speakers is customary and a longstanding tradition of the Club.

DRESS CODE

Unless otherwise noted, all Canada Club dinners are Black Tie.

If you have any questions please:

FROM OUR ARCHIVES

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