Inspiring Talks: ACORN Housing, Community, and Growing Grassroots
2025-10-15 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Toronto) | Tartu Event Hall, 310 Bloor St. West, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1W3, Canada
Canada’s housing crisis is hitting tenants hardest. Since 2004, ACORN has grown into the country’s largest tenant-led movement, organizing in communities, winning pro-tenant policies, and proving that grassroots power can take on corporate landlords and shape fairer cities.
John Anderson grew up in Brockville. He has worked for ACORN for over 20 years and is the Field Director for ACORN Canada. In that position he works to build ACORN across Canada and serves as a representative to ACORN International.

Inspiring Talks: Academy Showcase
2025-10-29 13:15 - 15:00
The following Academy members created interesting and unique presentations for their workshops over the past year. Now, they’ll share them with you!
Suzanne Valadon: The Life of a Bohemian Artist in Montmartre during the Belle Époque
Suzanne Valadon was a Parisian model turned self-taught painter who was lauded in her time (late 19th and early 20th c.) but has only recently been rediscovered and praised. This talk outlines her scandalous life and
showcases some of her artwork.
Sharon Harris is a long-time member of the Academy where she has co-facilitated numerous workshops and held many administrative positions. After her very early retirement as an educator and photographer, Sharon pursued her love of the arts and travel and enjoyed the Academy as a springboard for her curiosity.
The Life of Leonard Bernstein
This musical presentation examines the many facets of Bernstein’s long and memorable career as composer, conductor and educator. As an acclaimed American conductor, composer, pianist, and educator, Bernstein was renowned for bringing classical music to wider audiences through his televised Young People’s Concerts and histransformative work with the New York Philharmonic.

Bill and Eva Krangle have been members of the Academy for many years. They have participated in and facilitated many workshops. Bill Krangle is a retired marketing executive and amateur musician. Eva Krangle is a retired teacher of languages and former lay adjudicator with the Law Society of Ontario.
PLEASE NOTE: The Talk itself is at 1:15 pm. but is preceded by a Bring-Your-Own-Lunch hour at 12:00 noon, with free coffee – please feel free to drop by for that.

Inspiring Talks: Toronto's Waterfront - Ready to Launch [REPLACED BY "Avian Magic"]
2025-11-12 12:00 - 12:01
*** PLEASE NOTE *** This talk has been replaced by "Avian Magic – Rediscovering the Birds We Thought We Knew", at the same time (1:15 p.m. through 3:00 p.m.). If you've already RSVP'd, your place is still reserved for Avian Magic; if not, feel free to RSVP for that event.
Waterfront Toronto was established in 2001 to tackle big issues along the Toronto waterfront. Backed by the
federal, provincial and municipal governments, they deliver a distinct and vivid vision for a vibrant and sustainable waterfront.

Joe Cressy will provide an overview of 20 years of waterfront revitalization and outline the next phase of work for this tri-governmental corporation tasked with leading the revitalization of Toronto’s waterfront.
Joe Cressy is the Chief Strategy and Public Affairs Officer at Waterfront Toronto. He is a well-known city builder, with 20 years’ experience in the non-profit, government, and post-secondary sectors. At Waterfront Toronto, he works with government, industry, non-profit, and community partners to build a more livable, sustainable, and dynamic waterfront for all.

Inspiring Talks: Avian Magic - Rediscovering the Birds We Thought We Knew
2025-11-12 13:15 - 15:00
Julia Zarankin is an award-winning, Toronto-based writer, birder, lecturer, and cultural tour guide. Julia will be talking about the importance of rediscovering the magic of our common birds. Not only do these birds deserve our respect (and awe!), but they also teach us to feel more present and connected to our local environment.

Featured rockstar species include the Rock Pigeon, Northern Cardinal, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Sparrow and, of course, the Blue Jay.
Julia’s memoir, Field Notes from an Unintentional Birder, is a Canadian bestseller and her writing has been featured in Audubon, Sierra, Cottage Life, Canadian Geographic, The Walrus, and The Globe and Mail. When not hanging out with a spotting scope at sewage lagoons in hopes of getting a better handle on shorebirds, Julia lectures to lifelong learners in and around Toronto. She holds a PhD in Comparative Literature from Princeton University.
PLEASE NOTE: The Talk itself is at 1:15 pm. but is preceded by a Bring-Your-Own-Lunch hour at 12:00 noon, with free coffee – please feel free to drop by for that.

Inspiring Talks: Agatha Christie & Archeology
2025-11-26 13:15 - 15:00
If you didn’t already know how Agatha Christie and Archaeology were connected, then this lecture by Canadian archaeologist Dr. Amy Barron is your chance to learn how the great mystery novelist’s life is revealed within the pages of her books.
Her love of the Middle East and the life she lived with her famous archaeologist husband provided the basis for some of her greatest novels including Murder on the Orient Express, Death on the Nile, and Murder in
Mesopotamia. Dr. Barron will discuss Christie’s life, travels, and the fabulous ancient sites whose mysteries she helped uncover.
Amy Barron received her PhD at the University of Toronto in the field of Mesopotamian history and archaeology, specializing in the military history of Iron Age Assyria. She has excavated predominantly in the Middle East but has travelled widely studying the archaeology of various remote parts of the world from Peru to China. Amy taught archaeology, ancient history and classics at the Universities of Toronto and Guelph and presently teaches museum studies in Fleming College’s post-graduate program. She has worked in the museum world for over 30 years and loves sharing her passion for the past.
PLEASE NOTE: The Talk itself is at 1:15 pm. but is preceded by a Bring-Your-Own-Lunch hour at 12:00 noon, with free coffee – please feel free to drop by for that.

Inspiring Talks: Engaging with Indigenous Art: Viewing in Good Relations with the Artists and the Peoples
2026-01-14 13:15 - 15:00
How can we better experience the artwork of First Nations, Métis and Inuit artists? Robert Durocher will engage us in conversation about being in good relations when engaging with Indigenous art, artists and Peoples, to better understand historical and contemporary realities for Indigenous Peoples on Turtle Island. We will look at the ways Indigenous art is connected to land and community while being in global conversations in response to contemporary life.
Robert Durocher is the Richard and Elizabeth Currie Chief, Education and Programming, at the Art Gallery of Ontario. He has had leadership roles at the Urban Indigenous Education Centre (Toronto District School Board), with teachers of Expressions of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Cultures, and at York University’s Faculty of Education. Equity, inclusion and anti-oppression are foundational to his work. With a degree from the Ontario College of Art, Robert also holds an MA and B.Ed. from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto.

Inspiring Talks: The Academy Showcase - Academy members reprise great presentations from their workshops
2026-01-28 13:15 - 15:00
1. The Crash of ’29: A turning point in global economic history
Could our current economy be on the same path as the economy of 1929? Academy member Barry Arbus examines the causes of the 1929 stock market crash, the resulting Depression, and the rise of active government intervention in the economy. He also compares the economy in 1929 with our economy today.
Barry Arbus is a first-year member of the Academy. He is a retired corporate lawyer and currently practices as a business arbitrator and mediator. His hobbies include golf, skiing and travelling.
2. Scandalous! The Infamous Mitford Sisters
Alison Hayford doesn’t know just when or why she developed an interest in the six Mitford sisters, who were notorious in the early 20th century: one communist, two fascists, a writer, a duchess, and a quiet one. The fascinating members of this eccentric, annoying family continue to beguile.
After living in Regina for nearly 50 years, Alison Hayford moved to Toronto in 2021. Originally from the United States, she is a graduate of Barnard College and the University of Michigan. She was a member of the Department of Sociology and Social Studies at the University of Regina until her retirement in 2011. This is her second year as a member of the Academy.

Inspiring Talks: Sex, Violence and Sport - Unpacking the Hockey Canada Trial
2026-02-11 13:15 - 15:00
Canadian journalist and author Laura Robinson will examine the Hockey Canada trial of 2025 and how it has affected the legal definition of consent. She asks if Junior Hockey has changed at all.
Laura Robinson was the first Canadian journalist to write on sexual abuse in sport in The Toronto Star in December 1992. Her 1998 book, Crossing the Line: Violence and Sexual Assault in Canada’s National Sport, investigated the rape culture of junior hockey through alleged gang rapes and degrading, violent hazing rituals. Partnering once again with her publisher, McClelland & Stewart, she is updating Crossing the Line for the fall of 2026.

Inspiring Talks: The Academy Debate
2026-02-25 13:15 - 15:00
The Topic: Be it resolved that Toronto is still a livable city
What do you think? Does Toronto amaze and delight you these days? Do Toronto’s cultural diversity, rich arts and entertainment scene, and relatively high standard of living make it world-class livable? Or do the traffic and transit, the high cost of living, and the politics drive you right round the bend? Come see what your Academy’s debaters make of Toronto in this winter — whether of contentment or discontent.
Moderator: Linda Tu
Linda Tu is a scientist by inclination and training (B.Sc. Bangor, Wales and Ph.D. Madison, Wisconsin). Her primary discipline is chemistry, and she has interests in biochemistry and physics. She is currently facilitating two Academy workshops, the Web of Natural Science, and the Economist Readers. Her career included teaching at the post-secondary level and designing, writing and implementing computer programs.
For the Affirmative:
Mary Pat Moore was educated at the University of Toronto and Osgoode Hall Law School. She is a retired lawyer with experience in employment, labour and criminal law. An Academy member since 2014, Mary Pat has served as president of the ALLTO board. She is past Chair of SPRINT Senior Care, and former president and Council Member of the Ontario College of Kinesiology. Mary Pat has volunteered for more than 30 years for the YWCA, serving on the Toronto and Canada YWCA Boards and the World YWCA Executive Committee.
Harriet Lewis was born and raised in Alberta but, except for short stays in the United States and France, has lived in Toronto. After ten years in private legal practice, Harriet joined York University as its first General Counsel, later adding the role of University Secretary. She retired from York in 2014 and since then has worked as an adjudicator, a consultant on university matters and a volunteer. Harriet and her husband have lived in the Annex since 1984 where they raised their sons, who live in Toronto’s west end with their spouses and children.
For the Negative:
Gerry Rocchi’s career started in corporate financial roles, leading to work in investment management. In retirement he has worked as a consultant, board director and board chair. He enjoys travelling, reading, history, theatre, cinema, opera, cottaging, and family. He is in his first year at the Academy and enjoying all his new friends.
Eldon J. Bennett. After graduating from York University, Eldon completed a PhD in Political Science at Duke University. He returned to Toronto to teach at York, completing a JD degree at the University of Toronto. After seven years teaching at York, Eldon transitioned to practicing litigation at the law firm of Aird & Berlis, LLP, where he served as managing partner. Eldon was on the boards of public and private companies and charitable organizations and was a member of the Niagara Parks Commission.
