In this lecture, based on his 2017 book of the same title, Professor Russell will make the case that the distinctive character of Canada is best understood as the result of the interaction of Canada’s three foundational pillars, Aboriginal Canada, French Canada and English-speaking Canada. It is the survival of the two smaller pillars as “nations within” and English-speaking Canada’s relinquishing its desire to be a simple one-nation state, that has enabled Canada to become the world’s leading multinational, multicultural country.”

BIOGRAPHY
Peter H. Russell is a Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of Toronto where he has taught since 1958. He was the Principal of Innis College and the founding Principal of Senior College, the University of Toronto's youngest college for its oldest scholars. His writings and public activities cover the fields of judicial, constitutional, Aboriginal and parliamentary politics. His most recent books are Two Cheers for Minority Government, Parliamentary Democracy in Crisis, Recognizing Native Title: Indigenous Resistance to English-Settler Colonialism and, in 2017, Canada's Odyssey: A Country Based on Incomplete Conquests. He has served as the President of the Canadian Political Science Association and Chair of the Churchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy. He is the recipient of honorary degrees from a number of universities, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada and an Officer of the Order of Canada.

City Hall can seem daunting! While there is much to offer, navigating bureaucratic channels can oftenbe challenging. This lecture will aim to empower citizens of Toronto to get involved in local issues, and to understand the inner workings of City Hall. Councillor McMahon will draw on her experience as Chairof the Parks and Environment Committee to speak about some of the pressing issues related to parks, forestry and the environment in the City, and how civic action plays an important role in helping the City to achieve its goals.

BIOGRAPHY
Mary-Margaret McMahon is the Toronto City Councillor for Ward 32 Beaches-East York. First elected in 2010, Councillor McMahon has sat on various committees and boards, including Audit, Public Works and Infrastructure, Licensing and Standards, Executive Committee and is currently Chair of the Parks and Environment Committee. Councillor McMahon is also a voting member on 5 BIA's in her ward and has served on the Young People's Theatre Board and the Design Exchange Board. Councillor McMahon has championed many initiatives at City Hall, some of which include TransformTO, the City's climate change plan, the development of a Laneway Suites as-of-right planning policy, the introduction of Indigenous cultural competency training for City Staff, incorporating Indigenous place-making in parks, and the implementation of the 10 year Cycling Network Plan, particularly the Woodbine Bike Lanes.