BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//YP Speakers Series - ECPv6.15.17.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:YP Speakers Series X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com X-WR-CALDESC:Events for YP Speakers Series REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/Toronto BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20200308T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20201101T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20210314T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20211107T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20220313T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20221106T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20230312T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20231105T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20240310T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20241103T060000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT DTSTART:20250309T070000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST DTSTART:20251102T060000 END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240124T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240124T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054911 CREATED:20230925T183917Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240125T130504Z UID:804-1706122800-1706122800@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:Israel - Palestine: How Did October 7 Happen\, Where Do We Go from Here\, and Why Building Trust between Palestinians and Israelis Is More Important Now Than Ever DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, we’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The brutal massacre of October 7 in southern Israel by Hamas terrorists cannot be justified under any circumstances. But the attack and Israel’s response took place within a complex and longstanding context of conflict between Israelis and Palestinians that began in the early 20th Century. The November 2022 election in Israel\, when the most right wing government in Israel’s history was elected\, resulted in policies\, actions and personalities that helped set the scene for the tragedy that we are witnessing today. The only silver lining to emerge from the conflict is a revival by key players of the idea of a two-state solution as the best means for bringing long term safety and security to both parties. \nSome of us feel distraught and helpless witnessing the horrors of the current situation. We are searching for ways to alleviate some of the pain and suffering in the region. Jon Allen chairs Rozana Canada\, a non profit that builds trust and respect between Israelis and Palestinians through the health care sector. Rozana designs\, implements and funds joint Palestinian-Israeli projects in the training\, treatment and transport of Palestinians with the collaboration of Israeli health professionals. This work is more important now than ever. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nJon Allen was born in Winnipeg and studied at Western University and the London School of Economics before joining the Department of External Affairs in 1981. In addition to postings in Mexico  \nCity\, New Delhi and Washington\, Jon spent his early career working in the areas of human rights\, humanitarian\, and environmental law. From 2006 to 2010\, he served as Canada’s Ambassador to Israel; from 2012 to 2016 as Ambassador to Spain and Andorra; and from December 2012 to July 2014\, as interim Chargé d’affaires to the Holy See. Jon Allen is currently a Senior Fellow at the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy and a Distinguished Fellow of the Canada International Council. He is the Chair of Project Rozana Canada\, a not for profit whose objective is to build bridges between Palestinians and Israelis via the health sector. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker →\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join our email listJoin our email list to get an email advising you of our next event\, as well as a reminder email thirty minutes before each event with a link to watch online\, for those unable to attend in person. \n \n \n \n \n \n Success!\n \n \n \n \n First Name\n \n \n \n \n Last Name\n \n \n \n \n Email\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Send Me A Reminder URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/israel-palestine-how-did-october-7-happen-where-do-we-go-from-here-and-why-building-trust-between-palestinians-and-israelis-is-more-important-now-than-ever/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/2023_2024-YP-Speakers-Series_Jon-Revision.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20240112T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20240112T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054912 CREATED:20230925T183503Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240103T135114Z UID:799-1705086000-1705086000@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:Bomb Girls: Trading Aprons for Ammo – Munitions Production in Scarborough during World War Two DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Early in the Second World War\, the Canadian government built a top-secret munitions factory in the then rural community of Scarborough just seven miles from Toronto’s downtown. The plant\, called GECO—General Engineering Company (Canada) Limited—comprised 346 acres\, 172 buildings\, and over four kilometers of underground passageways. Barbara Dickson’s book\, Bomb Girls: Trading Aprons for Ammo\, is a comprehensive\, historical record of Canada’s biggest WWII munitions plant\, GECO\, which employed over 21\,000 citizens\, predominantly women\, courageously working with high explosives around the clock during the Second World War. In this lecture\, Barbara will relate the dramatic story of the incredible contribution made by so many women so long ago. What was it really like to work in a munitions factory? Did anyone die? What were working conditions like? How closely did bomb girls resemble “Rosie the Riveter?” Barbara will draw on twenty years of research to answer these questions.  \nThis lecture is a live\, in-person event in Cameron Hall. You do not need to pre-register to attend – just show up. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nBarbara Dickson is an author\, historian\, public speaker and documentary film producer who has entertained\, educated\, and enlightened audiences for twenty-five years. She strives to educate Canadians about the phenomenal work carried out by women across the nation whose invaluable contribution helped win the Second World War and is committed to ensuring that Canada’s “bomb girls” are honoured and commemorated. Her legacy project is to found a museum on the old GECO site in Scarborough where the public can come to learn\, appreciate\, and remember the critical sacrifice women made for their country so long ago. Her 2015 book\, Bomb Girls: Trading Aprons for Ammo\, was a finalist for the Ontario Legislature’s Book Award in 2016 and turned into a documentary film in 2017. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker →\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join our email listJoin our email list to get an email advising you of our next event\, as well as a reminder email thirty minutes before each event with a link to watch online\, for those unable to attend in person. \n \n \n \n \n \n Success!\n \n \n \n \n First Name\n \n \n \n \n Last Name\n \n \n \n \n Email\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Send Me A Reminder URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/bomb-girls-trading-aprons-for-ammo-munitions-production-in-scarborough-during-world-war-two/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Barbara-Dickson.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20231124T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20231124T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054912 CREATED:20230916T181808Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231107T230938Z UID:590-1700852400-1700852400@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:‘It’ll never happen to me’ is happening to over 2.5 million Canadians relying on foodbanks DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Food Bank usage in Toronto has increased from 60\,000 client visits per month before the pandemic to over 270\,000 in the summer of 2023. Who are the people who now need to rely on food charity? What has caused this crisis and\, most importantly\, what can we do to change the situation we find ourselves in?  \nThis lecture is a live\, in-person event in Cameron Hall. You do not need to pre-register to attend – just show up. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nNeil Hetherington is the CEO of Toronto’s Daily Bread Food Bank\, one of Canada’s largest food banks and a national leader in research that examines the causes and impacts of food insecurity. Previously he was the CEO of Habitat for Humanity Toronto and New York City for 16 years. He holds degrees or certificates from Huron University\, Seneca College\, Harvard Business School and his MBA from Western University’s Ivey Business School. Neil was named one of Canada’s ‘Top 40 under 40’ in 2005. Neil is the Chair of the Board of Directors of House of Compassion\, a project founded through Yorkminster Park Church to provide permanent supportive housing to persons living with mental illness. He is a Board member of Feed Ontario\, Vice-Commodore at the National Yacht Club\, and a member of The Salvation Army National Advisory Board. He is an active pilot and sailor.  \nThis lecture is co-sponsored by the Daily Bread Food Bank. The costs to the Yorkminster Park Speakers Series of putting on this lecture have been fully covered by a generous anonymous donor so that all donations at the door will go to the Daily Bread Food Bank. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker →\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join our email listJoin our email list to get an email advising you of our next event\, as well as a reminder email thirty minutes before each event with a link to watch online\, for those unable to attend in person. \n \n \n \n \n \n Success!\n \n \n \n \n First Name\n \n \n \n \n Last Name\n \n \n \n \n Email\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Send Me A Reminder URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/itll-never-happen-to-me-is-happening-to-over-2-5-million-canadians-relying-on-foodbanks/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Neil-Hetherington.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20231116T130000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20231116T130000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054912 CREATED:20230916T181735Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231107T231157Z UID:1161-1700139600-1700139600@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:Letters to Jackie: Condolences from a Grieving Nation. DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Zoom Webinar RegistrationRegister below and you will receive a reminder from Zoom 15 minutes before the event starts. \n Register\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n On Thursday\, November 16th from 1:00 — 2:00 PM by Zoom\, the Yorkminster Park Speakers Series\, in partnership with the YP Book Club\, presents historian Ellen Fitzpatrick\, author of Letters to Jackie: Condolences from a Grieving Nation. In recognition that this month marks the 60th anniversary of the assassination of John F. Kennedy in Dallas\, Texas on November 22nd\, 1963\, Professor Fitzpatrick will join us by Zoom for this special presentation to give a short talk about her book and about the Kennedy era followed by a Q&A session hosted by Dr. Eric McGeer who will facilitate live questions from the audience. Everyone is welcome to participate. \nAbout Letters to Jackie:For Letters to Jackie\, noted historian and News Hour commentator Ellen Fitzpatrick combed through literally thousands of condolence messages sent by ordinary Americans to Jacqueline Kennedy following the assassination of her husband\, President John F. Kennedy\, in 1963. The first book ever to examine this extraordinary collection\, Letters to Jackie presents 250 intimate\, heartfelt\, eye-opening responses to what was arguably the most devastating event in twentieth century America\, providing a fascinating perspective on a singular time in the history of our nation. \nAbout Ellen Fitzpatrick:Ellen Fitzpatrick\, who holds a PhD in History from Brandeis University\, is Presidential Chair and Professor of History\, Emerita at the University of New Hampshire and has taught previously at Harvard University\, M.I.T. and Wellesley College. A specialist in modern American political and intellectual history\, she is the author and editor of eight books\, including The Highest Glass Ceiling: Women’s Quest for the American Presidency (Harvard University Press\, 2016)\, the New York Times bestselling\, Letters to Jackie: Condolences from a Grieving Nation (Ecco\, 2010); and History’s Memory: Writing America’s Past\, 1880-1980 (Harvard University Press\, 2002) as well as many articles and reviews. Letters to Jackie became the basis for a 2014 documentary film by Bill Couturié for which Fitzpatrick served as Associate Producer. The Highest Glass Ceiling was selected as a 2016 “Editor’s Choice” by the New York Times\, and a notable nonfiction book of 2016 by the Washington Post. It was also excerpted in The New Yorker. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/letters-to-jackie-condolences-from-a-grieving-nation/ ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/2023-YP-Series-Letters-to-Jackie.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20231108T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20231108T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054912 CREATED:20230916T181440Z LAST-MODIFIED:20231109T194837Z UID:585-1699470000-1699470000@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:Holocaust Distortion as a new form of Holocaust Denial: The Case of Poland DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n While Holocaust denial is easy to identify and straightforward to explain\, Holocaust distortion is a more insidious and complex threat. Unlike the deniers of yesteryear\, people\, states\, and institutions engaged in Holocaust distortion do not deny the factuality of the event. They argue instead that their nation\, their people\, their tribe\, had nothing to do with it. There were some corrupt individuals\, no doubt\, but helping and rescuing of Jews was the default position of our people\, argue the nationalists. And\, with the formidable funding provided by the states engaged in Holocaust distortion\, the Shoah is being re-branded into a positive narrative in which enthusiastic and altruistic Gentiles strive to save their Jewish neighbors from the clutches of the Germans. We thought we knew that the German genocidal plan had many willing helpers across Europe but this knowledge is now being put to question and assaulted by the agents of Holocaust distortion.  \nThis lecture is a live\, in-person event in Cameron Hall. You do not need to pre-register to attend – just show up. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nJan Grabowski is a professor in the Department of History at the University of Ottawa. His research includes the issues surrounding the extermination of the Polish Jews as well as the history of the Jewish-Polish relations during the 1939-1945 period. He is the author of numerous journal articles and several books\, including Hunt for the Jews. Betrayal and Murder in German-Occupied Poland (Indiana University Press\, Bloomington & Indianapolis\, 2013) which won the Yad Vashem International Book Prize for 2014. A recipient of the 2014 Faculty of Arts Professor of the Year Award\, he teaches survey courses and graduate and undergraduate seminars on the history of the Holocaust. Professor Grabowski is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.  \nThis lecture will be part of the Neuberger Foundation’s Holocaust Education Week  \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker →\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Join our email listJoin our email list to get an email advising you of our next event\, as well as a reminder email thirty minutes before each event with a link to watch online\, for those unable to attend in person. \n \n \n \n \n \n Success!\n \n \n \n \n First Name\n \n \n \n \n Last Name\n \n \n \n \n Email\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Send Me A Reminder URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/holocaust-distortion-as-a-new-form-of-holocaust-denial-the-case-of-poland/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Jan-Grabowski.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20231025T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20231025T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054912 CREATED:20230916T181054Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230926T220920Z UID:581-1698260400-1698260400@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:Uncovering the Past: Tales from a Passionate Genealogist DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n When she a young child\, Heather’s mother told her that Mark Twain was a great-uncle. It seemed like a really cool thing to tell people\, but other than that\, it held little meaning for her at the time. Fast forward forty years: one night while Heather found herself between jobs and with time on her hands a TV ad for Ancestry reminded her of Mark Twain and she decided to see if there was any truth to the family story. Only later did she realise that this was the moment her passion for genealogy was born. In this talk Heather will share stories from her own work – involving archival research\, personal interviews and the latest in genetic DNA technology – to help us understand why the field of genealogy has grown exponentially in recent years and why it has become not only Heather’s passion but also her second career. Perhaps she will also inspire you to begin your journey tracing your own family history.  \nThis lecture is a live\, in-person event in Cameron Hall. You do not need to pre-register to attend – just show up. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nAfter a 20-year career as a Marketing Executive for several consumer-packaged goods companies\, Heather retired from the proverbial rat race to dedicate more time to her family and to pursue her own family history. Originally enthralled by the shaking leaves\, she turned her attention to educating herself on proper genealogy methods and received a certificate from the National Institute for Genealogical Studies. She started her own company\, Dig Ancestry Services in 2013 and her second career began. She is passionate about finding the stories in everyone’s family history and seeks to help people on their journey of discovery. She volunteers with the Ontario Genealogical Society and is currently serving as the Past President\, Conference Chair and Editor of the Families Journal.  \nThis lecture is co-sponsored by the Ontario Genealogical Society  \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/uncovering-the-past-tales-from-a-passionate-genealogist/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Heather-Mctavish-Taylor.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20231013T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20231013T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054912 CREATED:20230916T180527Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250116T200033Z UID:574-1697223600-1697223600@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:Where the Falcon Flies: A 3\,400 Kilometre Odyssey From My Doorstep to the Arctic DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Professional explorer and adventurer Adam Shoalts returns to the Yorkminster Park Speakers Series to tell us about his latest adventure and book: a 3\,400 km solo canoe journey from Lake Erie to the Arctic. The expedition took over three months and saw Shoalts depart from Long Point and travel all the way to the Torngat Mountains and Ungava Bay. Adam will share the story of his journey as well as photos from it. This lecture coincides with the publication of Adam’s book about his journey\, Where the Falcon Flies\, on October 3rd 2023. Copies of the newly released book will be available for purchase and signing.  \nThis lecture is a live\, in-person event in Cameron Hall. You do not need to pre-register to attend – just show up. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nAdam Shoalts is a professional adventurer\, best-selling author\, and Westaway Explorer-in-Residence at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. His expeditions range from mapping rivers to archaeological projects\, but Shoalts is best known for his long solo wilderness journeys\, including crossing alone nearly 4\,000 km of Canada’s Arctic. Named one of the “greatest living explorers” by CBC and even declared “Canada’s Indiana Jones” by the Toronto Star\, Shoalts is a frequent guest on TV and radio. His latest adventure was a 3\,400 km solo journey from Lake Erie to the Arctic\, the subject of his new book\, Where the Falcon Flies. His other books include Alone Against the North\, A History of Canada in 10 Maps\, and Beyond the Trees: A Journey Alone Across Canada’s Arctic\, and The Whisper on the Night Wind\, all of them national bestsellers. He has a PhD from McMaster University in history\, and in his free time\, enjoys long walks in the woods. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/where-the-falcon-flies-a-3400-kilometre-odyssey-from-my-doorstep-to-the-arctic/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Adam-Shoalts.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20230929T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20230929T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054912 CREATED:20230914T230015Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230927T200638Z UID:178-1696014000-1696014000@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:Toronto: Home of the Oldest and Newest Carillons in North America DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Over five centuries in Europe a remarkable concert instrument evolved: the carillon\, consisting of tuned bronze bells expressively played from a keyboard. Before the outbreak of the Great War there were more than 140 “singing towers” in the Low Countries\, providing melodic soundscapes to their communities. Wars wreaked destruction on the European carillons\, but the fame of their voices also inspired a carillon renaissance to build new towers across the world serving as musical memorials. In 1922 Toronto’s Metropolitan Methodist Church (now Metropolitan United Church) installed the first modern tuned carillon in North America. In the century since\, ten more carillons were built in Canada and more than 170 installed across the continent. In this illustrated lecture Andrea McCrady will celebrate North America’s newest carillon to serenade Toronto at Yorkminster Park Baptist Church. \nThis lecture is a live\, in-person event in Cameron Hall. You do not need to pre-register to attend – just show up. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nAndrea McCrady was appointed Dominion Carillonneur of the Peace Tower Carillon in 2008 and is an Adjunct Professor in carillon studies at Carleton University in Ottawa. Introduced to the carillon in 1971 at Trinity College\, Hartford\, CT\, she studied at the carillon schools in the Netherlands\, Belgium\, and France on a post-graduate fellowship. During medical school at McGill University\, Montreal\, she was carillonneur at St. Joseph’s Oratory\, followed by her hospital residency in Toronto\, where she played at the University of Toronto and the Canadian National Exhibition. From 1990-2008\, she coordinated the carillon program at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist in Spokane\, WA\, where she also practiced family medicine. In 2008\, she retired from medicine upon receiving a Bachelor of Music from the University of Denver. Dr. McCrady has served on the boards of the Guild of Carillonneurs in North America and the World Carillon Federation. When not at the carillon keyboard\, she is out exploring the great Canadian outdoors by hiking\, canoeing\, and skiing. \nThis is a special commemorative lecture on the occasion of the inauguration of Yorkminster Park’s new Carillon. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/toronto-home-of-the-oldest-and-newest-carillons-in-north-america/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Andrea-McCrady.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20230922T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20230922T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054912 CREATED:20230913T230049Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230926T221257Z UID:142-1695409200-1695409200@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:Top 170 Unusual Things to See in Ontario DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Ron Brown’s latest book\, Top 170 Unusual Things to See in Ontario\, was newly released and expanded in 2022. Using the book as a starting point\, this illustrated lecture will explore some of Ontario’s most unusual features and landscapes including such phenomena as The Screaming Heads\, Guelph’s “Notre Dame”\, Toronto’s Graffiti Alleys\, and its “Luminous Veil” on the Bloor Street Viaduct as well as the light show in Brockville’s railway tunnel. \nThis lecture is a live\, in-person event in Cameron Hall. You do not need to pre-register to attend – just show up. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nRon Brown is an award-winning travel writer whose pieces have been published in the Toronto Star\, the Globe and Mail\, Canadian Geographic Magazine\, and VIA Rail Magazine. He has published more than twenty books on the heritage of Ontario and Canada\, and he lectures on\, and leads tours of\, heritage landscapes across Ontario. He has participated on TVO’s Studio Two panels to determine Ontario’s “most historic town\,” Ontario’s “prettiest town\,” and Ontario’s “best main street.” Ron is a member of the Travel Media Association of Canada and is past chair of The Writers’ Union of Canada\, whose “Freedom to Read Award” he received in 2015 for his ongoing promotion of freedom to read and write in Canada. \nThis lecture is co-sponsored by Mary Morton Tours. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/top-170-unusual-things-to-see-in-ontario/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Ron-Brown.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20230609T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20230609T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054912 CREATED:20230609T113427Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230927T163239Z UID:537-1686337200-1686337200@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:Did you eat today? Thank a Bee! DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Honey bees play a vital role in agriculture through the pollination of food crops. One third of the food we eat is pollinated by bees. Honey bees provide 80% of this service – native bees provide the rest. Did you know there are 423 species of native bees living in Ontario? They are also vitally important as they pollinate many native plants. Hummingbirds and some bat species pollinate too! Honey bees face numerous health challenges and the role of the University of Guelph’s Honey Bee Research Centre (HBRC) is to help beekeepers keep their bees healthy. The centre conducts hive health studies and trains beekeepers on a global scale. In this presentation Paul Kelly will outline the challenges bees face\, survey the research and education activities of the HBRC\, and let us know how we can help them help bees. \nThis lecture is a live\, in-person event in Cameron Hall. You do not need to pre-register to attend – just show up. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nPaul Kelly has managed the Honey Bee Research Centre at the University of Guelph for the past thirty five years. His primary role at the centre is to manage honey bee colonies for research and teaching purposes. He provides research support for hive health science\, training for students and beekeepers\, coordinates and teaches beekeeping courses\, conducts facility tours for the general public and hasn’t stopped talking about bees since taking his first apiculture course in 1980! \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/did-you-eat-today-thank-a-bee/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Paul-Kelly.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20230510T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20230510T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054912 CREATED:20230510T134950Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230927T163148Z UID:366-1683745200-1683745200@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:The Jewish Experience in Toronto DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Jewish population of Canada is currently about 400\,000 people of which close to half reside in the GTA.  They first settled in the area in the 1820s and their number continued to increase when Jewish immigrants from Russia and Eastern Europe arrived in Canada in large numbers after 1880.  They came seeking a home and country in which they could not only survive and prosper\, but one in which they could leave a positive legacy for their children\, grandchildren\, and the generations that followed.  They did indeed find the refuge they were searching for in Toronto and elsewhere\, yet their acceptance and integration into the larger society was not always wanted or welcome\, and the struggles they faced caused much inner turmoil and hardship.  In this lecture historian and author Allan Levine examines the key lessons\, trends and patterns of two centuries of Jewish life in Toronto. \nThis lecture is a live\, in-person event in Cameron Hall. You do not need to pre-register to attend – just show up. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nAllan Levine is an award-winning author and historian with a PhD from the University of Toronto.  He has written sixteen books including Details are Unprintable: Wayne Lonergan and the Sensational Café Society Murder; Seeking the Fabled City: The Canadian Jewish Experience\, which was longlisted for the RBC Taylor Prize; Toronto Biography of a City; and King: William Lyon Mackenzie King: A Life Guided by the Hand of Destiny\, which won the Alexander Kennedy Isbister Award for Non-Fiction.  For the past twelve years\, he has written the column “Now & Then” for the Winnipeg Free Press\, which looks at the history behind major news issues. His articles and reviews have also appeared in The Globe and Mail\, National Post\, Toronto Star\, and Maclean’s\, among other publications. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/the-jewish-experience-in-toronto/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Allan-Levine.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20230421T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20230421T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054912 CREATED:20230421T134738Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230927T163348Z UID:646-1682103600-1682103600@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:Domestic Terror Threats’ in your Nervous System: Autoimmune neurological diseases\, disorders… DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Everything about us is an emergent property of our enormous\, intricate\, and orderly nervous system.  And our nervous system\, like any other system\, requires security.  Providing that security is the job of our immune system.  But treason at the biological level is real.  At every level of the nervous system there are internal miscreants\, rabble-rousers\, and spies.  In this lecture\, neurologist Dr. Roy Baskind will take us on a tour of those autoimmune domestic threats – from our nerves\, up our spinal column\, and into our brain – and in the process expose our internal ‘fifth column’: autoimmunity against our own nervous system.  This lecture aims to leave us with a newfound awe of our personal neurological government and how it can all go so wrong. \nThis lecture is a live\, in-person event in Cameron Hall. You do not need to pre-register to attend – just show up. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nEducated at the University of Texas at Austin\, the University of Texas SouthwesternMedical school at Dallas\, McGill University\, and the Montreal Neurological Institute\, Roy Baskind\, MD FRCPC ABPN\, fights against all kinds of neurological diseases at North York General Hospital.  He also lectures as adjunct faculty in the Division of Neurology\, Department of Medicine\, at the University of Toronto.  And he chronicles all on his podcast: www.thecephalopod.ca. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/domestic-terror-threats-in-your-nervous-system-autoimmune-neurological-diseases-disorders/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Roy-Baskind.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20230310T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20230310T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054912 CREATED:20230310T145335Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230927T163820Z UID:651-1678474800-1678474800@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:Defiant Spirits: The Modernist Revolution of the Group of Seven (and Tom Thomson) DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n In 1924 an exhibition in London of Canadian landscapes moved the renowned English critic C. Lewis Hind to celebrate them as “the most vital group of paintings produced since the war – indeed\, this century”.  These landscapes of Canada’s northern lakes and rugged backwoods\, painted in a boldly Post-Impressionist style\, had been produced over the previous decade by the collective of Toronto-based painters known as the ‘Group of Seven’\, whose aim was to forge a national school of landscape painting.  In this lecture Ross King will look at both the myths and the realities of how these painters – including their talismanic colleague Tom Thomson\, who died in 1917 – stormed the conservative bastions of Canadian art to establish themselves on the international stage as practitioners of a distinctive avant-garde. \nThis is a live event in Cameron Hall; Ross King will be joining us online from his home in the UK. You do not need to pre-register to attend – just show up. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nRoss King is the bestselling author of books on Italian\, French and Canadian art and history. Among his books are Brunelleschi’s Dome (2000)\, Michelangelo and the Pope’s Ceiling (2002)\, The Judgment of Paris (Governor General’s Award\, 2006)\, and Leonardo and The Last Supper (Governor General’s Award\, 2012). He has also published two novels and a biography of Niccolò Machiavelli. In 2010\, Ross was curator for the exhibition\, “Defiant Spirits: The Modernist Revolution of the Group of Seven\,” staged at the McMichael Canadian Art Collection – the exhibition\, as well as this lecture both based on his book of the same title.  Ross is an active fundraiser for the arts and a passionate lecturer and tour guide. When not traveling for work or pleasure\, he lives in the historic town of Woodstock\, near Oxford\, England\, with his wife Melanie. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/defiant-spirits-the-modernist-revolution-of-the-group-of-seven-and-tom-thomson/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Ross-King.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20230210T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20230210T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054912 CREATED:20230210T145910Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230927T163924Z UID:655-1676055600-1676055600@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:The Lemurs of Madagascar DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Lemurs are primates found only in Madagascar\, a beautiful and exotic place\, the fourth largest island in the world. However it is threatened by habitat loss and environmental degradation. Professor Wright will discuss the varieties of lemurs including the Golden Bamboo Lemur she discovered that was new to western science\, her work to create a protected area that became Ranomafana National Park and a World Heritage Site\, and the challenges facing Madagascar and Lemur conservation efforts. She will feature her recent work to preserve the “Lost rainforest of Crystal Mountain” and update us on the translocation of twelve threatened greater bamboo lemurs from a degraded forest fragment into the protection of the Ranomafana National Park.” \nThis lecture is a live\, in-person event in Cameron Hall. You do not need to pre-register to attend – just show up. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nPatricia Wright is Distinguished Professor in the Department of Anthropology at the State University of New York at Stony Brook\, and founder and International Director of ValBio Research station\, Ranomafana National Park in Madagascar.  In 1986\, while on an exploratory expedition to Madagascar\, Dr. Wright and colleagues discovered a new species of lemur\, the golden bamboo lemur (Hapalemur aureus).  When this rain forest\, and the future of this new species\, were threatened by timber exploitation\, Dr. Wright’s attention turned to conservation.  In 1991 the Ranomafana National Park was inaugurated.  Dr. Wright coordinated the building of the park infrastructure and management\, ecotourism development\, biodiversity research and monitoring\, economic development\, health and education within the peripheral zone villages and in 1997\, the Ranomafana National Park management was handed over to the Malagasy Park Service.  Since 1997\, Dr. Wright has continued to be actively involved in biodiversity research and exploration in Madagascar.  Dr. Wright is a John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation Fellow and the recipient of numerous other awards and honours.  She is the author of five books\, including For the Love of Lemurs: My Life in the Wilds of Madagascar. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/the-lemurs-of-madagascar/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Patricia-Wright.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20230113T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20230113T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054912 CREATED:20230113T151502Z LAST-MODIFIED:20240710T153542Z UID:659-1673636400-1673636400@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:Brampton\, Ontario as a Window on Life in Canada during World War One DESCRIPTION:Video streaming of the YP Speakers Series lectures is available free of charge however\, donations are always welcome.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Our history lessons about the Great War focus on life in trenches\, poison gas\, battles and the bravery of our troops overseas. But what was life like for those at home in Canada?  Based on stories told to her by her great aunt and research conducted in the local archives\, Lynne Golding will speak to us about recruitment efforts; the shortages of food and farm labour; the conversion of factories and business for the production of war materials; the development of flight schools; the treatment in Canada of those of Austrian heritage; the endless fundraising and knitting efforts; the creation of military convalescent hospitals; and the onset of Spanish flu. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nBestselling and award-winning author Lynne Golding is the author of the historical fiction series\, “Beneath the Alders.” A graduate of the University of Toronto and Queen’s University\, she is a senior partner at the international law firm Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP where she co-leads their health law practice group.  Lynne lives in Brampton\, Ontario\, and has three grown children. Beneath the Alders is inspired by stories told to Golding by her great aunt\, Jessie Roberts Current\, born in Brampton\, Ontario in 1903. Those stories\, supplemented by extensive research led to the creation of three novels about life in small-town Canada: The Innocent(1907 – July 1914); The Beleaguered (1914 – 1918) and The Mending (1918 – 931). \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/brampton-ontario-as-a-window-on-life-in-canada-during-world-war-one/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Lynne-Golding.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20221125T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20221125T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054912 CREATED:20221125T113013Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250115T131817Z UID:887-1669402800-1669402800@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:Surviving the Media Maze: With all this information\, where is the wisdom? DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “I have a feeling that the information highway has reached a dead end\,” says Michael Enright.  “We are so flooded with so-called information that we are drowning in it.  The result is a dislocation\, a sensation that when everything is deemed important in some way\, nothing is important.  A lot of this is attributable to the internet and the rise of social media.  Social media have two fronts; one is the trek of inconsequential people doing inconsequential things.  The other is the wide dissemination of hate and the threat of violence\, not to mention actual harm done to women\, young people\, and indeed to the political process itself. To paraphrase T. S. Eliot\, ‘with all this information\, where is the wisdom?’” \nThis lecture is a live\, in-person event in Cameron Hall. You do not need to pre-register to attend – just show up. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nMichael Enright is a high school dropout with three honourary degrees and the Order of Canada. He has lectured at the University of Cambridge. 2022 marks his 60th year in the practice of journalism. He began in April 1962 at a weekly newspaper in Brampton\, Ontario and has since worked for TIME Magazine\, The Globe and Mail\, the Toronto Star and Maclean’s Magazine. He was assistant managing editor of Maclean’s and editor of Quest Magazine.  He hosted CBC Radio’s As It Happens for ten years and The Sunday Edition for twenty. Michael Enright’s favourite food is Oreo Cookies.  He likes to ride horses and motorcycles and knows how to brand a calf. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/surviving-the-media-maze-with-all-this-information-where-is-the-wisdom/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Michael-Enright.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20221104T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20221104T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054913 CREATED:20221104T103757Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250115T132343Z UID:891-1667588400-1667588400@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:Lifesavers and Body Snatchers: Medical Care and the Struggle for Survival in the Great War DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The death toll of the First World War would have been even greater had it not been for the efforts of the armies’ medical corps to fight for the lives of the wounded. In this lecture\, historian Tim Cook describes how the doctors and nurses of the Canadian Army Medical Corps responded to the challenge before them to counter the lethal effects of disease\, infection\, and of modern weapons designed to defeat their skills. The methods and innovations they adopted were not restricted to the battlefield. Out of their experience grew new approaches to public health and to the treatment of physical and mental trauma which revolutionized the practice of twentieth-century medicine. But the story has a less seemly side\, revealed in the records Cook has brought to light concerning the use of body parts for medical examination and for less scientific purposes during and after the war. Join us for a discussion of a lesser known legacy of the First World War and its influence on the history of public medicine and health policy in Canada up to the present day. \nThis lecture is a live\, in-person event in Cameron Hall. You do not need to pre-register to attend – just show up. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nTim Cook is the Director of Research at the Canadian War Museum. His latest book\, published in September 2022\, is Lifesavers and Body Snatchers\, the subject of his November 4th lecture. He is the author or editor of 13 other books that have won the C.P. Stacey Prize for Military History (twice)\, the Ottawa Book Award (three times)\, the RBC Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction\, and the J.W. Dafoe Book Prize (twice). In 2012\, Dr. Cook was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to Canadian history and in 2013 he received the Governor General’s History Award. He is a frequent commentator in the media\, a member of the Royal Society of Canada\, and a Member of the Order of Canada. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/lifesavers-and-body-snatchers-medical-care-and-the-struggle-for-survival-in-the-great-war/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Tim-Cook.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20221014T080000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20221014T170000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054913 CREATED:20221014T104340Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250115T135603Z UID:896-1665734400-1665766800@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:Discover Toronto’s Ravines DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Toronto’s ravine landscapes are not just a sanctuary for wildlife\, they also protect the city against flooding and allow us to enjoy nature at our doorsteps. In this lecture Ellen Schwartzel will describe how the ravines are changing over time\, how they are responding to numerous pressures and how you can explore and help protect them. \nThis lecture is a live\, in-person event in Cameron Hall. You do not need to pre-register to attend – just show up. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nEllen Schwartzel is President of the Toronto Field Naturalists.  Ellen’s career in environmental policy included 23 years with the Environmental Commissioner of Ontario\, and she was Ontario’s Deputy Environmental Commissioner from 2014 until retiring in 2018.  Ellen received her BSc and MSc in Botany at the University of Toronto. Toronto Field Naturalists connect people with nature in the Toronto area.  TFN helps people understand\, enjoy\, and protect Toronto’s green spaces and the species that inhabit them.  They have been offering guided walks\, lectures\, stewardship and citizen science initiatives since 1923.  They also own and manage several nature reserves.  To learn more visit www.torontofieldnaturalists.org. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/discover-torontos-ravines/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Ellen-Schwartzel.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20220916T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20220916T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054913 CREATED:20220916T104747Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250115T140037Z UID:901-1663354800-1663354800@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:Cosmic Questions (and Answers!): Exploring the Universe from Aristotle to Webb DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The launch and commissioning of the James Webb Space Telescope is the latest step in humanity’s centuries-long journey to understand the nature and origins of our universe and explore possibilities for life beyond Earth. From ancient philosophers to the latest headlines\, science journalist Ivan Semeniuk will take you on a journey through space and time that puts new discoveries in context and shows how the work of scientists today relate to fundamental questions that have motivated skywatchers since the dawn of history. \nThis lecture is a live\, in-person event in Cameron Hall. You do not need to pre-register to attend — just show up. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nIvan Semeniuk reports on science for The Globe and Mail. A science journalist in print\, online and broadcast media\, his stories have informed Canadians about topics as diverse as space exploration\, climate change and the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to joining the Globe he was the chief of U.S. correspondents for the journal Nature\, North American bureau chief for New Scientist magazine and a producer and columnist with Discovery Channel.  He is the writer and presenter of the television series Hubble’s Canvas and Cosmic Vistas and a contributing editor to Sky News magazine. His work has garnered several awards including the Royal Canadian Institute’s Sandford Fleming medal for contributions to the public understanding of science. \nThe astronomical photo of a portion of the Carina nebula is one of the first science images released from the Webb telescope.Photo Credit: NASA\, ESA\, CSA\, and STScI \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/cosmic-questions-and-answers-exploring-the-universe-from-aristotle-to-webb/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Ivan-Semeniuk.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20220610T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20220610T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054913 CREATED:20220610T105857Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250115T140437Z UID:905-1654887600-1654887600@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:Religious Freedom: Whose Freedom Is It? DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Entrenched in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms\, freedom of religion is a fundamental freedom that has deep historical roots in our Anglo-American constitutional tradition. Yet\, to view such a freedom as a legalistic or ideological relic is to divorce it from the human beings who exercise it. Where does our understanding of religious freedom come from? Is it purely a freedom to be exercised privately\, or is its proper forum the public square? Is it a freedom merely for the dwindling minority of Canadians who are actively religious? The Rev. Dr. Andrew Bennett\, Director of the Religious Freedom programme at Cardus and Canada’s first Ambassador for Religious Freedom will explore these questions and the nature of what is an increasingly contested freedom. \nThis lecture is a live\, in-person event in Cameron Hall. You do not need to pre-register to attend — just show up. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nThe Rev. Dr. Andrew P.W. Bennett is the Director of Cardus Religious Freedom and Director of Faith Community Engagement at Cardus\, Canada’s faith-based think-tank. He also serves as Senior Fellow at the Washington\, DC-based Religious Freedom Institute. He is an ordained deacon in the Ukrainian Greek-Catholic Church in the Eparchy of Toronto and Eastern Canada. Fr. Deacon Andrew served as Canada’s first Ambassador for Religious Freedom and Head of the Office of Religious Freedom from 2013 to 2016. A native of Toronto who grew up at Our Lady of Perpetual Help parish\, he holds a Ph.D. in Politics (2002) from the University of Edinburgh as well as degrees in history from McGill and Dalhousie. When not praying\, studying\, or think-tanking\, Fr. Deacon Andrew can be found with his fly rod in a stream\, listening to bluegrass or Bach\, or reading the Church Fathers. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/religious-freedom-whose-freedom-is-it/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Andrew-Bennet.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20220527T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20220527T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054913 CREATED:20220527T110302Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250115T140715Z UID:909-1653678000-1653678000@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:“We are getting a Canadian occupation ...” : The Nijmegen Salient 1944-45 DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The peoples under Nazi occupation longed for the arrival of the Allied armies\, but liberation could prove to be an ordeal in itself.  Few places knew the mixed blessings of liberation better than the Dutch city of Nijmegen.  Accidentally yet heavily bombed by the Americans in February 1944\, and the scene of vicious fighting during Operation Market Garden the following September\, Nijmegen found itself on the frontline for seven long months.  Although free of the Germans\, the city was occupied by another foreign army\, the soldiers of First Canadian Army who held the Nijmegen Salient during the winter of 1944-45.  Emerging from a long occupation\, the citizens of Nijmegen endured privation\, cold\, and constant shelling while contemplating the uncertainties ahead.  Emerging from the battles of the Scheldt\, the Canadians rested and refitted for the final assault into Germany.  With reference to official documents\, the paintings of Alex Colville\, and especially the diaries and accounts of Nijmegen’s inhabitants\, this lecture will discuss the comparative experience of Canadian soldiers and Dutch civilians in a static and trying phase of the war rich in human interest. \nThis lecture is a live\, in-person event in Cameron Hall. You do not need to pre-register to attend — just show up. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nEric McGeer taught Latin and history at St Clement’s School for many years.  Originally a specialist in Byzantine history\, he turned to Canadian military history and is the author of several books on the subject.  He is currently writing a book on the experiences and relations of the Dutch and Canadians in the Nijmegen Salient during the winter of 1944-45. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/we-are-getting-a-canadian-occupation-the-nijmegen-salient-1944-45/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Eric-McGeer.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20220429T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20220429T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054913 CREATED:20220429T110700Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250115T140943Z UID:913-1651258800-1651258800@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:Wrongful Convictions in Canada DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n In this lecture James Lockyer will be talking about his work\, the causes of wrongful convictions and how to reduce their numbers in the future. \nThis lecture is a live\, in-person event in Cameron Hall. You do not need to pre-register to attend — just show up. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nJames Lockyer obtained his LLB at the University of Nottingham in 1971 and is a member of the Bar in England. He taught at McGill University and the University of Windsor before being called to the Ontario Bar in 1977. He has been a criminal lawyer for 44 years. Since 1992\, the majority of his practice has involved unravelling wrongful convictions. Mr. Lockyer is a founding director of Innocence Canada (formerly known as the Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted (AIDWYC)) in which capacity he has been involved in high profile wrongful conviction cases including those of Guy Paul Morin (1995)\, David Milgaard (1997)\, Steven Truscott (2007)\, William Mullins-Johnson (2008)\,Tammy Marquardt (2011)\, Leighton Hay (2014)\, John Salmon (2015)\, Maria Shepherd (2016) and Frank Ostrowski (2018). He has received numerous awards and honorary degrees and\, in 2018\, was made a member of the Order of Canada. He is a partner in the law firm Lockyer\, Zaduk and Zeeh. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/wrongful-convictions-in-canada/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/James-Lockyer.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20220401T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20220401T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054913 CREATED:20220401T111155Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230927T111341Z UID:918-1648839600-1648839600@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:Beyond the Trees: A Journey Alone Across Canada’s Arctic DESCRIPTION:National best-selling author and professional adventurer Adam Shoalts takes us on the journey of a lifetime: a nearly 4\,000 km solo odyssey by canoe across Canada’s Arctic. This harrowing expedition took almost four months to complete and years of preparation. Shoalts will share photos from his journey\, which involved weaving through ice floes\, facing down snarling bears and galloping musk-ox\, and paddling under the midnight sun in a land as old as time. But also why we urgently need to save vast wild places while it’s still possible. \nThis lecture is a live\, in-person event in Cameron Hall. You do not need to pre-register to attend — just show up. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nAdam Shoalts\, PhD\, is a national best-selling author\, adventurer\, and the Westaway Explorer-in-Residence of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. A geographer\, archaeologist\, and historian\, Shoalts is best known for his long solo wilderness journeys. His award-winning books include Beyond the Trees\, Alone Against the North\, A History of Canada in 10 Maps\, and most recently\, The Whisper on the Night Wind. He enjoys long walks in the woods. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/beyond-the-trees-a-journey-alone-across-canadas-arctic/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Adam-Shoalts-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20220315T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20220315T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054913 CREATED:20220315T111710Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230927T165241Z UID:924-1647370800-1647370800@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:What’s so evil about the Notwithstanding Clause? DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The Notwithstanding clause is perhaps the most obscure part of Canada’s constitutional history that everyone loves to hate.  Ever since 1982 critics have attacked Section 33 as an unfortunate compromise that negates the Charter’s great promise of human rights.  When the Quebec government invoked Section 33 to allow them to pass otherwise unconstitutional language laws\, many in the rest of Canada were irate.  Ever since\, each time a government invokes or threatens to invoke the Notwithstanding Clause\, the same criticisms re-emerge.  In this talk historian Christopher Dummitt explains the origins of the clause\, including how pivotal it was to ensuring repatriation\, and places it within the long and vital history of responsible and parliamentary government in Canada. \nBIOGRAPHY:   \nChristopher Dummitt is Professor of Canadian history at Trent University and host of the podcast 1867 & All That. His book Unbuttoned: A History of Mackenzie King’s Secret Life was shortlisted for several major awards including the best book on Canadian politics from the Writers Trust in 2017.  He writes on history\, politics and culture in venues like the Literary Review of Canada\, the National Post\, The Hub\, and Quillette. He is currently conducting research on the state of academic freedom and viewpoint diversity in Canada and researching a book on the final decade of the life of former prime minister Mackenzie King.  \nPresented by theChurchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracyand co-sponsored by the Yorkminster Park Speakers Series \nThe Churchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy\, www.ChurchillSociety.org\, is a non-partisan\, charitable organization that honours the life of Sir Winston Churchill by facilitating education\, discussion and debate about Canada’s parliamentary democracy. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/whats-so-evil-about-the-notwithstanding-clause/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Christopher-Dummitt.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20220304T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20220304T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054913 CREATED:20220304T122147Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230927T165508Z UID:929-1646420400-1646420400@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:The COVID 19 Pandemic in Perspective – Two Years On DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n FEATURED PANELISTS: \nDr. Allison McGeer\, Microbiologist and Infectious Disease ConsultantProfessor Kate Choi\, Associate Professor of Sociology\, Western UniversityProfessor Erica Di Ruggiero\, Professor\, Dalla Lana School of Public Health\, UofTProfessor Christopher Rutty\, Historian \nTwo years on from the start of the pandemic\, we invite four distinguished scholars from four different academic disciplines and research traditions to consider the pandemic in perspective.  Each panelist will offer an opening statement summarising their particular approach to the pandemic\, the kinds of questions they’ve been engaged in and what they have learned so far following which Dr. Allison McGeer will lead a panel discussion among the four guests digging more deeply into some of the key issues and themes.  There will be time at the end of the presentation for questions from the audience. \nBIOGRAPHIES: \nKate H. Choi is a social demographer interested in examining the causes and consequences of international migration.  Her research areas encompass two fields: (1) neighborhood contexts and their impact on immigrant integration and (2) the social determinants of COVID-19.  Her work has been published in leading journals in migration\, demography\, and family sociology\, including Demography and Journal of Marriage and Family.  She received her Ph.D. in Sociology from UCLA and completed her postdoctoral training at Princeton University.  She is currently an associate professor in Sociology and the Director of the Centre for Research on Social Inequality at Western University. \nErica Di Ruggiero is Associate Professor of Global Health\, Division of Social and Behavioural Health Sciences and Institute of Health Policy Management and Evaluation at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health (DLSPH)\, University of Toronto.  Dr. Di Ruggiero is the Director of the DLSPH’s Centre for Global Health and Co-director\, of the WHO Collaborating Centre on Health Promotion.  Her research examines how evidence affects global policy agendas related to employment\, other determinants of health and health equity in the context of the Sustainable Development Goals.  Her work focuses on governance-related questions about the roles of global institutions. \nDr. Allison McGeer is a Professor in Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto\, and an Infectious Disease Specialist and Senior Clinician Scientist at the Lunenfeld—Tanenbaum Research Institute of the Sinai Health System in Toronto.  She has a research interest in adult immunization and in emerging infections\, and has been a member of Canada’s National Advisory Committee on Immunization.  Since February\, 2020\, she has been working on research related to the prevention and management of COVID-19. \nChristopher J. Ruttyis a professional historian with special expertise in the history of medicine\, public health\, infectious diseases and biotechnology in Canada.  He earned his Ph.D. at the University of Toronto in the Department of History\, with his dissertation on the history of poliomyelitis in Canada\, for which he was supervised by the late Professor Michael Bliss\, author of the seminal book\, The Discovery of Insulin.  Since completing his Ph.D. in 1995\, Dr. Rutty has provided historical research\, writing\, consulting and creative services to a variety of clients through his company\, Health Heritage Research Services.  Dr. Rutty also teaches at the UofT’s Dalla Lana School of Public Health. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/the-covid-19-pandemic-in-perspective-two-years-on/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/COVID-Panel.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20220211T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20220211T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054913 CREATED:20220211T122709Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230927T165618Z UID:935-1644606000-1644606000@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:The Crisis in Afghanistan Six Months On DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n Afghanistan Six Months On: “Why are the Taliban back on top in Afghanistan?  And how should the world respond?”  Author and journalist Terry Glavin and former Canadian Ambassador to Afghanistan Chris Alexander will team up to offer their expert analysis of the situation in Afghanistan six months after the American withdrawal in August 2021. Their discussion will cover the origins of the Afghanistan conflict\, the events leading to the Taliban’s restoration\, and the consequences for Afghanistan and for the rest of the world.  Glavin and Alexander will also provide an update on the ongoing humanitarian crisis as more than twenty million people face severe hunger through this cold Afghan winter. \nBIOGRAPHIES: \nTerry Glavin is a senior fellow with the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights\, a columnist for the National Post and the Ottawa Citizen and a contributing editor to Maclean’s magazine.  He has covered the Afghan conflict extensively and is the author of Come From the Shadows: The Long and Lonely Struggle for Peace in Afghanistan.  Newspaper assignments in recent years have taken him to Afghanistan\, Israel\, the Russian Far East\, the Eastern Himalayas\, Northern Syria\, Iraq\, Turkey\, Jordan\, China\, Hong Kong and Central America.  Author of seven books and the co-author of three others\, he has won more than a dozen literary and journalism awards\, including the Hubert Evans Prize and several National Magazine Awards. \nBorn in Toronto\, Chris Alexander was educated at Oriole Park School and UTS. He attended university at McGill\, Laval and Balliol College\, Oxford\, earning a BA in history/political science and an MA in philosophy/economics. He joined the Canadian foreign service in 1991 and was Canada’s first resident ambassador to Afghanistan (2003-05).  He served as Deputy Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary General (DSRSG) for Afghanistan (2005-09).  In 2011 he published The Long Way Back: Afghanistan’s Quest for Peace and was elected Member of Parliament for Ajax-Pickering where he served as Parliamentary Secretary for National Defence and then as Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.  He lives in Ajax with his wife Hedvig Christine and three children. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/the-crisis-in-afghanistan-six-months-on/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Glavin_Alexandar.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20220114T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20220114T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054914 CREATED:20220114T123119Z LAST-MODIFIED:20230927T181115Z UID:939-1642186800-1642186800@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:The Discovery of Insulin: a cure from death (due to diabetes) DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n One hundred years ago\, Frederick Banting\, MD had an idea in the middle of the night that culminated in the discovery of insulin\, a ‘cure’ for certain death in patients with Type 1 diabetes. In this lecture Professor Patricia Brubaker will trace the origins of this discovery\, covering not only the science and the individuals involved in this ground-breaking discovery\, but also the process that led to the commercialization of insulin\, enabling worldwide access to this lifesaving treatment. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nDr. Patricia Brubaker obtained her PhD at McGill University followed by post-doctoral studies at the University of Toronto\, where she is currently Professor in the Departments of Physiology and Medicine. Since 1985\, she has been actively involved in studies on the regulation and functions of several intestinal hormones\, most notably glucagon-like peptide-1\, used in the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes and obesity\, and glucagon-like peptide-2\, recently approved for patients with short bowel syndrome. Dr. Brubaker has published over 200 papers and trained over more than 200 students and fellows during her career. She has been supported by a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Vascular and Metabolic Biology since 2001\, was inducted as a Fellow into the Royal Society of Canada in 2016\, and received the Diabetes Canada Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/the-discovery-of-insulin-a-cure-from-death-due-to-diabetes/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Patricia-Brubaker.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20211126T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20211126T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054914 CREATED:20211126T123505Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250115T141648Z UID:943-1637953200-1637953200@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:The Symphonies of Beethoven – the Universe in Music DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The plays of William Shakespeare\, the sculpture of Michelangelo\, the poetry of Pablo Neruda. These are all considered pinnacles of human artistic achievement\, and the nine symphonies by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) are included among them. They are the most famous and frequently-performed and recorded symphonies ever composed. But why are they still popular and what makes them so great? In this lecture with music examples\, classical music writer and broadcaster Rick Phillips will uncover the reasons behind the undying legacy of the nine Beethoven symphonies\, and what they can express and communicate to us today\, in our busy\, hectic lives\, two hundred years later. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nRick Phillips is a busy broadcaster\, podcaster\, freelance writer and reviewer\, panel moderator\, lecturer\, consultant\, concert host and music tour guide. He presents a variety of Music History & Appreciation courses at such venues as the University of Toronto\, York University\, the Royal Conservatory of Music and George Brown College. Often a juror in the classical music categories for the Juno Awards\, he is the author of The Essential Classical Recordings – 101 CDs\, published by McClelland & Stewart. From 1994 to 2008\, Rick was the Host and Producer of SOUND ADVICE\, the weekly guide to classical music and recordings\, heard across Canada on both CBC Radio One and Radio Two every weekend. Affiliated with the CBC for 30 years\, working in Montreal\, Edmonton\, Calgary and Toronto\, his career spanned production to management to on-air. He holds a B. Mus. from McGill University and a M. Mus. from the University of Toronto. www.soundadvice1.com and soundadvice@sympatico.ca. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/the-symphonies-of-beethoven-the-universe-in-music/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Rick-Phillips.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20211105T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20211105T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054914 CREATED:20211105T113942Z LAST-MODIFIED:20251103T131937Z UID:949-1636138800-1636138800@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:Forgetting\, Remembering and Remaking Canada’s Second World War DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n In this lecture\, best-selling author Tim Cook will talk about his book\, The Fight for History\, and he will examine the strange way that Canadians ignored for decades their epic contributions during the Second World War. Despite 1.1 million Canadians who served in uniform\, and millions more who supported the total war effort from the home front\, Canada rapidly left the war behind\, publishing few histories\, building fewer monuments\, and advancing into the prosperous second half of the twentieth century. Dr. Cook will talk about the neglect of our Second World War history until quite recently\, and highlight the key role of veterans in reclaiming this important legacy of service and sacrifice. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nTim Cook is the Director of Research at the Canadian War Museum. Cook is the author or editor of 13 books and they have won the C.P. Stacey Prize for Military History (twice)\, the Ottawa Book Award (three times)\, the RBC Taylor Prize for Literary Non-Fiction\, and the J.W. Dafoe Book Prize (twice). In 2012\, Dr. Cook was awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for his contributions to Canadian history and in 2013 he received the Governor General’s History Award. He is a frequent commentator in the media\, a member of the Royal Society of Canada\, and a Member of the Order of Canada. \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/forgetting-remembering-and-remaking-canadas-second-world-war/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Tim-Cook-2.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=America/Toronto:20211015T190000 DTEND;TZID=America/Toronto:20211015T190000 DTSTAMP:20260406T054914 CREATED:20211015T114303Z LAST-MODIFIED:20250115T142135Z UID:954-1634324400-1634324400@ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com SUMMARY:Hiking Where Your Heart is DESCRIPTION:Donations at the door or when you watch online are voluntary and only partially cover program costs. If you agree that continuing education is worth the investment\, We’d love to hear from you.\n \n DONATE NOW\n \n \n \n \n \n A new browser tab will open the Yorkminster Park Canada Helps donation page\, please select YP Speakers Series from the dropdown menu.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n “Not everyone is as lucky as I am\,” says writer and hiker Nicola Ross. “Not only was I born in a spectacularly beautiful place: the Forks of the Credit\, but I still live there!” In this lecture Ross invites you to join her on a hike along sections of the Bruce Trail that are filled with stories\, memories and fabulous flora and fauna. She will take you back in time\, catapult you into the future and then spend a moment admiring what the trail has to offer right now – today. From the legend of the Devil’s Pulpit to Canada Dry’s first bottling plant to killer cataract falls. From the mighty Niagara Escarpment to the hummocky Oak Ridges Moraine. From kettle lakes to rare walking ferns. Childhood picnics to red tinted limestone. A gold rush to a salt mine. Using great photos and a lifetime of getting to know her own back yard\, Nicola Ross will take you along on a short adventure and invite you to come to know and love your back yard as well as she knows hers. \nBIOGRAPHY: \nThe winner of numerous writing honours including a National Magazine Award\, Nicola Ross is the author of ten books\, including the popular Loops & Lattes Hiking Guides (Caledon Hikes; Halton Hikes; Dufferin Hikes; Hamilton & Area Hikes; Waterloo\, Wellington & Guelph Hikes; and Collingwood\, the Blue Mountains & Beaver Valley Hikes). A biologist and former climate change consultant\, Nicola is a regular contributor to and columnist with In the Hills magazine. Her articles have been published in The Walrus\, The Globe and Mail\, Explore magazine\, Mountain Life\, Avenue\, Ontario Nature\, Alternatives Journal\, and more. She was a regular environmental contributor to CBC Radio in Calgary\, regularly appears on CBC Radio program Fresh Air and was the long-time editor-in-chief of Alternatives Journal\, Canada’s national environmental magazine. Ross is now pursuing her love of writing\, travel and sport on a full-time basis. For more visit her websites www.nicolaross.ca and www.loopsandlattes.ca\, where you can find her blog\, “What’s Not to Hike?” \n \n \n \n ← Previous Speaker\n \n \n \n \n Next Speaker → URL:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/event/hiking-where-your-heart-is/ LOCATION:Cameron Hall\, 1585 Yonge Street\, Toronto ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://ypspeakersseries.yorkminsterpark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Nicola-Ross.jpg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR