Churchill's North America: The States and Canada Foe to Friend
The 29th International Churchill Conference The Fairmont Royal York Hotel Toronto, Ontario, Canada October 11 –13, 2012
In his History of the English Speaking Peoples, Churchill wrote that the prime aim of the American "War Hawks," led by Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, during the War of 1812 "…was to seize Canada and establish American sovereignty throughout the whole Northern continent." Of course this didn't happen and Churchill concluded that the result of the war "was solid and enduring: " "The war was a turning-point in the history of Canada. Many disagreements were still to shake AngloAmerican relations. Thirty years later in the dispute over the possession of Oregon vast territories were involved and there was a threat of war. But henceforward the world was to see a three-thousand mile international frontier between Canada and the United States undefended by men or guns." The relationship between the U.S. and Canada has indeed been unique among neighboring international states and one that Churchill frequently reflected upon during his long life. Our 29th International Churchill Conference will focus on the evolution of this relationship as viewed through Churchill's eyes. Churchill was as much a lay historian as he was a politician and leader. His writings and speeches on America and Canada will focus our conversations and panel sessions. And, we have convened an impressive array of specialists--British, Canadian and U.S.--all of whom will enlighten, entertain and engage us with their presentations. Join with us in beautiful Toronto and enjoy the vibrant nightlife, stunning architecture, great museums, galleries and theatres, wonderful vintage stores, and luxury shops. The city has 7,000 restaurants offering a range of cuisines to suit every taste. There is much to explore and see in this world class city. We know you won't be disappointed. Discover all the things to do in Toronto. You’ll find an abundance of vibrant nightlife, stunning architecture, great museums, galleries & theatre, wonderful vintage stores, luxury shops and everything in between
Laurence S. Geller Chairman of the Board
Randy Barber Chairman, 29th International Churchill Conference SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
Thursday, October 11, 2012 – Registration will open at 1:00 p.m. Spend your morning or afternoon exploring Toronto: tour Fort York or visit the Art Gallery of Ontario, among other city attractions. First time conference attendees are invited to a special get-acquainted reception at 5:30, followed by our traditional Welcome Reception for everyone at 6:30 p.m. Former Mayor David Crombie will give a brief presentation on Churchill and Toronto. Dinner on your own. Friday, October 12, 2012 – Registration reopens and the first two sessions begin promptly at 9:15 a.m., chaired by Sen. Hugh Segal and Joan Martyn. These sessions will focus on US-Canadian relations from the Revolutionary period through World War I. Featured speakers include Eliot Cohen, Peter Russell, John Milton Cooper, and R. H. Thomson. Our luncheon speaker will be Richard M. Langworth speaking on "Substance v. Trivia." On Friday afternoon, session chairs Lee Pollock and Doug Russell will introduce speakers covering the interwar years and the beginning of World War II. John Maurer, Terry Reardon, John Plumpton and David Boler will be our speakers. Friday evening we will celebrate in fine Churchillian style with a reception and black-tie (optional) dinner featuring Churchill's granddaughter, Celia Sandys. Saturday, October 13, 2012 – The first session on Saturday, chaired by Bob Jarvis, will cover the war years 1941-45 and feature speakers Eric McGeer and Warren Kimball. The second session will examine the "Secret War, 1939-45" with speakers Lynn Hodgson, Jon Lellenberg and Denis Smyth. Our luncheon speaker on Saturday will be Lynne Olson, author of several acclaimed books, including Troublesome Young Men and Citizens of London. Saturday afternoon sessions will be chaired by Gord Walker and Randy Barber, and will include a panel discussion by veterans of World War II: George MacDonnell, Jack Rhind, and Richard Rohmer. Former Canadian Prime Minister John Turner will also join the panel discussion. The Cold War years will be covered by Ron Atkey, Philip White and Robert Simmonds. The conference will conclude that evening with a World War II cabaret show in a casual dinner setting.
PRE- AND POST-CONFERENCE ACTIVITIES Pre-Conference: Get to Know Toronto - Fort York or Art Gallery of Ontario Fort York National Historic Site is only minutes from the hotel (about a C$10 taxi ride) and houses Canada'ʹs largest collection of original War of 1812 period buildings. On April 27, 1813, combined U.S. army and naval forces attacked York (the original name for Toronto) from Lake Ontario, overrunning Fort York. As the British abandoned the fort, they set the powder magazine to blow up, killing or wounding several hundred U.S. soldiers (including General Zebulon Pike, for whom Pikes Peak is named). Admission is C$8.61, C$4.31 for seniors. The AGO, the Art Gallery of Ontario is also located close to our hotel. There is a selection of photographs, watercolour drawings and posters, "ʺThe States and Canada"ʺ, curated specifically for the Churchill Society of Canada in the Marvin Gelber Print and Drawing Study Centre. Included are a number of watercolour prints by Walter Trier of "ʺthe Big Three "ʺ at Yalta together with caricatures of Douglas McArthur, Eleanor Roosevelt and Dwight Eisenhower. A list of the works will be provided in a flier to be available at the conference registration desk. Admission is C$19.50, C$16.00 for seniors. By taxi, about C$10. Post-Conference: Visit Ottawa and the Houses of Parliament - Sunday, October 14, to Tuesday, October 16. Special arrangements have been made with the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa for a special $199 room rate for those wishing to travel up to the Canadian capital city to visit the Houses of Parliament and the site of Churchill's "some Chicken; some neck" speech and the Youssuf Karsh studio. If you wish to join this special post-conference tour, please contact Mr. Randy Barber for details (randybarber@sympatico.ca).
SPEAKERS Ron Atkey, PC, QC, is a lawyer, law professor, and former Canadian politician. He lectures on national security law and international terrorism. David Boler is former Chairman of the International Churchill Society, UK, and currently a Trustee of The Churchill Centre-UK. Eliot Cohen is the Robert E. Osgood Professor of Strategic Studies at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at the Johns Hopkins University. Cohen is the Director of the Strategic Studies Program at SAIS and author of many books. John Milton Cooper is author of Woodrow Wilson: A Biography, among other books and is Professor Emeritus, Department of History, University of Wisconsin. David Crombie is a Canadian politician, professor and consultant, and was Mayor when the Winston Churchill statute was approved and erected in downtown Toronto. Lynn Hodgson is a military and espionage authority. He has written extensively on “Camp-‐‑X” the spy training school outside Toronto, which included author Ian Fleming among its graduates. Warren Kimball is the author of Forged in War: Roosevelt, Churchill and the Second World War, among other books. He is the Robert Treat Professor of History (emeritus) at Rutgers University.
Richard Langworth is founder of the Churchill Centre and editor of Finest Hour: The Journal of Winston Churchill. He has edited many books, including Churchill by Himself: The Definitive Book of Quotations. Jon Lellenberg is a retired senior Pentagon officer specializing in security matters. The literary representative of the Arthur Conan Doyle Estate in North America, he authored a work of historical fiction, “The Baker Street Irregular.” George MacDonnell was a member of the Canadian army charged with defending Hong Kong in WW2. He spent five years as a Japanese Prisoner of War. Eric McGeer obtained a doctorate degree from L’Université de Montréal and teaches history and Latin in Toronto. He has written widely on military history and European battlefields. John Maurer serves as Chair of the Strategy and Policy Department at the Naval War College in Newport, RI.
He is the author or editor of books examining the outbreak of World War I, naval arms control between the two world wars, and a study about Winston Churchill’s views on British foreign policy and strategy. Lynne Olson is a former journalist and author of several best-selling books, including A Question of Honor, Troublesome Young Men, and most recently Citizens of London. John Plumpton is past President of The Churchill Centre and of ICS/Canada, and a former Superintendent of Schools in the Toronto area. Terry Reardon is a retired banker. A contributor to Finest Hour, he is a member of its Editorial Board and the winner of the magazine’s Somervell Award in 2006. His book, Winston Churchill and Mackenzie King: So Similar, So Different, will be published in October 2012. Jack Rhind fought with the Canadian Army in the Sicily invasion and the Italian campaign, and received a personal blessing from Pope Pius 12th after the liberation of Rome. Richard Rohmer is Canada’s most decorated citizen and a prolific writer. He had an extensive military career, including taking part in D-‐‑Day 1944 as a pilot in the RCAF. Peter H. Russell is a Rhodes Scholar and Professor Emeritus at the University of Toronto, where he taught political science. He has written widely in the fields of constitutional, judicial and Aboriginal politics. The Hon. Celia Sandys is the granddaughter of Winston Churchill and a longtime Trustee and friend of The Churchill Centre. Her mother was Winston and Clementine's eldest daughter, Diana; her father, Lord DuncanSandys, was a Cabinet minister and member of the wartime Churchill government. She is the author of several books about her grandfather. Robert Simmonds was the Commissioner of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for 10 years. Retiring in 1987 he worked in international affairs including being the senior law enforcement Officer of the United Nations Fund for Drug Abuse Control. Denis Smyth is professor of History at the University of Toronto. He is a specialist in modern international relations, particularly the period surrounding World War II and the Spanish Civil War. Among his major works is a monumental collected edition of previously classified British documents from the period just after World War II.
R. H. Thomson is one of Canada’s foremost actors and directors and the winner of numerous awards and accolades. To recognize and remember the 68,000 Canadians who died in WWI he had their names projected onto the facade of Canada House in London on Remembrance Day 2008. The Rt. Hon. John Turner, PC, CC, QC served as the 17th Canadian Prime Minister and is a Canadian lawyer and retired politician. Philip White writes about history, culture and technology. His most recent book is Our Supreme Task: How Winston Churchill's Iron Curtain Speech Defined the Cold War Alliance. ACTION THIS DAY! Hotel. Make your reservations at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel by calling their Reservations Department, 1800-663-7229, or Global Reservations at 1-800-441-1414, and identify yourself as being with The Churchill Centre/International Churchill Society-Canada. Our special conference rate, single/double occupancy, is C$209 per night for a Fairmont Room, valid three days before and after our conference, based on room availability. Fairmont Gold Rooms are available for C$309, and one bedroom suites are C$799. Rates are exclusive of 13% room tax. Check-in time is 3:00 p.m.; check-out time is 12:00 noon. Registrants are responsible for their own room reservations. Guaranteed rates are good until September 7, 2012. Travel. Toronto is serviced by Pearson International Airport. Air Canada and most major international airlines provide frequent service. The airport is about 30 to 50 minutes from downtown Toronto. Taxis offer a flat C$47 rate; limousines are available for slightly more. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is serviced by Porter Airlines, a regional turbo-prop carrier offering service from many major cities in eastern Canada and the U.S. Situated on an island, a free ferry will have you in downtown Toronto in about 10 minutes. Weather and Wardrobe – Toronto weather in October should be quite pleasant, though somewhat cool, with highs in the mid-50s to 60's, and evening temperatures in the 40s. Dress for seminars is business or smart casual. Dinner on Friday is black tie (small medals) or optional black or navy suit; Saturday dinner is business (lounge) suit. REGISTRATION Basic registration includes the Welcome Reception, two luncheons, and admittance to all conference sessions. A special student registration price is offered for those students (21 and under) attending full time college or lower levels, that provides admission to all sessions and two luncheons. As a bonus, we are excited to announce that every single or couple registration will receive a copy of the new book by Terry Reardon, Winston Churchill & Mackenzie King: So Similar, So Different, a $35 value. To include a tax deductible contribution to further the Centre’s educational mission, we offer two registration packages. Club package purchasers will receive special mention in the Conference Program, and in Finest Hour (unless no recognition requested). For Canadians, a charitable receipt will be issued for the amount permitted by the Income Tax Act. For US citizens, the allowable tax deduction is shown on the registration form. Chartwell Club – A premier package that includes Basic registration (single or couple), two luncheons, plus an invitation to a special VIP Reception with our speakers and special guests; special seating at both the Friday Black-tie Gala Banquet and Saturday dinner; one student sponsorship; and, the book by Terry Reardon. Blenheim Club – A package that includes Basic registration with two luncheons, plus a ticket to the Black-tie Gala Banquet, one student sponsorship and a copy of Terry Reardon's new book. Recognizing that some sessions or individual speakers may appeal to a larger audience beyond the Centre’s membership, Single-Day tickets may be purchased for each day’s activities in lieu of a full registration. STUDENT BENEFACTORS
The Conference Committee is working with local schools to provide an opportunity for students to attend conference sessions and luncheons as our guests. A donation of $200 will help underwrite the cost of attendance of these students so that they may learn about and share in your enthusiasm for Winston Churchill.