Royal Ottawa Golf Club, Gatineau, Quebec
National Capital Region Luncheons
AMBCANADA holds regular luncheons for members in the National Capital Region, usually on the third Wednesday of each month at 12:30 pm at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club.
As members are aware, monthly AMBCANADA luncheons are governed by what is known as “The Chatham House Rule“. This Rule states that participants are free to use the information received, but that there must be no attribution. Speaking notes may be made available, with the speaker’s consent, but the Chatham House Rule still then applies to the verbal rendition and to the question and answer period.
As always, spouses, associate members and guests are cordially invited to attend. If you wish to invite someone who is not a member of AMBCANADA, please remind them of the Chatham House Rule.
Upcoming Events
Thursday, November 2, 1.00pm
A Fireside Chat with Stephen Toope.
Dr. Toope is an international human rights lawyer, former President of University of British Columbia and former vice-chancellor of Cambridge University. Since November 2022 he is the President and CEO of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR)
Hybrid Event: In person luncheon at Royal Ottawa Golf Club and on line webinar
Registration required
Thursday, November 9, 10:30 am
“Can the West Win Over the Rest?”
Against the backdrop of a fragmenting world, what should the western ‘liberal democracies’ do in the face of increasingly tough competition to retain – and in some cases recover – influence in the global south versus China and Russia
Trilateral Transatlantic Dialogue, hosted by AmbCanada, the Canadian Foreign Service Alumni Forum, UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office Association, and DACOR Organization of US Foreign Affairs Professionals
Panelists: Guillermo Rishchynski from Canada, Sir Myles Wickstead from the UK and Ambassador Earl Wayne from the US.
Moderator: Alex Bugailiskis
On line Webinar Registration required
Wednesday, November 22, 12 noon
Annual Writer’s Luncheon
To date, four authors from our membership will be talking about their recent work.
Roxanne Dubé, Enfin comprendre
Marie Gervais-Vidricaire Silence sur Venise: Une Rencontre de Marcel Proust avec Oscar Wilde, Stefan Zweig and Mariano Fortuny.
Hugh Stephens, In Defence of Copyright (virtual presentation)
Chris Thompson, The Struggle Continues: An Arduous Journey of Hope (virtual presentation)
Our partner Books on Beechwood will have a table at the Golf Club with books for sale.
Hybrid event: In person luncheon at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club and on line webinar
Registration required
Wednesday, December 6, 6 – 8 pm
AmbCanada Holiday Reception
In person event: 9th Floor, Pearson Building
Registration required.
Recent Events
Thursday, October 19, 1.00 pm
“South Africa’s Foreign Policy Choices”
Guest Speaker: H.E. Rieaz Shaik, High Commissioner of South Africa to Canada
Hybrid Event: In person luncheon at Royal Ottawa Golf Club and online webinar.
Tuesday, October 17
Special Webinar –- The Causes and Outcomes of the Israeli-Hamas Conflict –
former Ambassador Jon Allen in conversation with Richard Kohler
Tuesday, September 26
Webinar – The Future of Canada and the United Nations: Given the Current ‘crisis of multilateralism’, does the UN Still Matter to Canada and Canadians?
Three of our most senior Canadians at the UN share their experience and advice on Canada and the UN.
Denise Brown: Assistant Secretary General (ASG) and Humanitarian Coordinator for Ukraine
Deborah Lyons: Former Special Representative of the Secretary General of the United Nations for Afghanistan
Elizabeth Spehar: Assistant Secretary General for Peacebuilding Support at the United Nations
Tuesday, June 13
AGM 2023 and Summer Reception, Royal Ottawa Golf Club
Hybrid Event: In person at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club and online webinar
Tuesday, May 23
“Canada and Haiti: Some Strategic Considerations”
Guest Speaker: H. E. Sébastien Carrière, Canada’s ambassador to Haiti since October 2021
Hybrid Event: In person luncheon at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club and on line webinar
Wednesday, May 3
Special Webinar – “Sudan – how did it come to this and how do we move on?”
Nick Coghlan and Adrian Norfolk, who have both served Canada in both Sudans, review the origins of the current crisis in the larger of the two countries, including the rise to power of the Rapid Support Forces under the now notorious General Hemedti. They describe the current dynamic in Sudan, assess the risk of a full-blown civil war developing and outline the danger this would pose to the stability of the entire region. They consider what constructive role Canada might play in the weeks and months ahead. Moderator: Michael Small
2022 Luncheons/Events
September 21
Our guest speaker will be Marta Morgan, who was Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs until her retirement on August 31, 2022
Link to bio: ‘s BIO (2022)[8127]
FOR THOSE ATTENDING THE LUNCHEON: Our inaugural luncheon following a two-plus years hiatus due to COVID-19, will take place on Wednesday, September 21, 2022 at the Royal Ottawa Golf Club on Aylmer Road at 12 (noon) for drinks. Luncheon will be served at 12:30 pm. The cost is $38.00 per person. Please confirm your attendance by email to info@ambcanada.ca no later than September 16th. The deadline for cancellation is 12 noon the day before the luncheon.
FOR THOSE JOINING THE WEBINAR: Please register for the webinar and log on before 1:15 EST, using the following link:
Registration: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89258500403?pwd=blpEcnRJS2djUjVYdFUyZStabi9vQT09
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The 8th annual AMBCANADA Writers’ Luncheon
Moderator:
TBC
Authors:
- il 17 – Senator Peter Boehm, The Challenges to International Summitry: Some Reflections –BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE – Peter Boehm
- March 20 – Roland Paris, Professor of International Affairs in the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Ottawa, BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE Roland Paris
- February 20 – Guy Saint-Jacques, former Ambassador of Canada to China Biographical Note – Guy Saint-Jacques
- January 16 – Manon Cornellier, editor of Le Devoir Biographical Note – Manon Cornellier
2018 Monthly Luncheons
- November 21 –RHOMA Writers’ Luncheon.
- October 17 – Denis Coderre, former mayor of Montreal and Cabinet minister under Prime Minister Paul Martin on the increasing role of cities in the world of diplomacy.
- September 19 – Robert Giroux, President of the Ottawa Branch of the National Association of Federal Retirees on “Take a break from following the NAFTA Talks… let’s talk NAFR.”
- July 18 – Senator André Pratte on “What’s new at the Senate”.
- June 20 – Jocelyn Coulon, author of “Un selfie avec Justin Trudeau” on “Canada in the world. Is Trudeau keeping his promises?”
- May 23 – Catherine Cano, President and General Manager of CPAC (Cable Public Affairs Channel) on the role of a parliamentary channel and democracy.
- April 18- Jonathan Fried, Personal Representative of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for the G20 and Coordinator for International Economic Relations at Global Affairs Canada.
- March 21 – Daniel Jean, National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister, about his role and the challenges facing Canada when it comes to national security during these complicated times.
- February 21 – David Ljunggren, political correspondent at Reuters Canada.
- January 17 – E., Sabine Sparwasser, Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to Canada, “Challenges and opportunities facing Germany and the European Union in 2018.”
2017 Monthly Luncheons
- November 22 – Foreign Service Authors and Their Books.
- October 18 – Ian Shugart, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, shared the current opportunities and challenges his department is facing .
- September 20 – Greg Donaghy, Head of the Historical Section and Ms. Mary Halloran, Historical Section of Global Affairs Canada presented “Canada’s Department of External Affairs, Volume 3: Innovation and Adaptation, 1968-1984”.
- July 19 – Guy Saint-Jacques,“2017: A delicate year for Chinese President Xi Jinping” and insights into the bilateral relations between Canada and China.
- June 21 – a Financial Panel moderated by Michael Adams Senior Vice President at Brookfield Soundvest Capital Management Ltd., focusing on various aspects of financial planning.
- May 10 – Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie on “Insights on Canada’s development policy and programs in light of today’s international context.
- April 19 – Senator Peter Harder, Leader of the Government in the Senate
- March 15– Gilles Rivard, “Lessons learned from the 2010 campaign to win a seat on the UN Security Council and how Canada must prepare for the 2020 election”. Mr. Rivard will be accompanied by Ms. Tamara Mawhinney, Executive Director, UN Security Council Campaign at Global Affairs Canada
- February 15 – His Excellency Nicolás Lloreda-Ricaurte, Colombia’s Ambassador to Canada Insights on the Peace accords between his Government and the FARC, as well as on the ongoing negotiations with the Ejercito de Liberacion Nacional (ELN)
- January 18 – Colin Robertson, Canada-US relations under new US Administration
