The Literary Review of Canada

"The LRC Presents..."

This series of free public discourse events, held at the Gardiner Museum in Toronto, gathers readers, writers and thinkers for evenings of lively conversation on a wide range of topics. We hope you'll be able to join us!

For a special introductory Gardiner-LRC subscription rate, click here.

Presented in partnership with Big Ideas, a weekly showcase of public intellectual culture on TVO, Saturday & Sunday at 5:00pm.

Past Events

ANDREW COYNE: "Post-Economic Politics in Canada"

May 14, 2012

In this talk by Andrew Coyne, the award-winning writer and columnist for the National Post discussed how the state of the economy, contrary to popular belief, will not be the defining issue in our public policy debates.

GRAEME GIBSON: "Echoes of a Working Eden"

April 2, 2012

In this talk by Graeme Gibson, the ardent naturalist and acclaimed author discussed why we should be spending more time in Nature, and the damage done to us when we deprive ourselves of its lessons and powers.

DR. IAIN McGILCHRIST: "Our Mind at War"

March 5, 2012

In this talk by Dr. Iain McGilchrist, the renowned British psychiatrist and author discussed why the battle between our right and left hemispheres has shaped everything from our notions happiness to the development of civilizations.

Watch video of this event.

JOHN DUFFY: "The Emerging Politics of Technology"

February 6, 2012

In this talk by John Duffy, the Liberal strategist and principal at StrategyCorp discussed the political (and policy) impact of increasingly fast-paced technological change.

Watch video of this event.

JOHN IBBITSON: "Our Brave New Canada"

December 5, 2011

In this talk, veteran Globe and Mail columnist John Ibbitson argues that Conservative victory in the May 2, 2011 federal election marked the collapse of a once-epic alliance that consolidated power in Toronto, Ottawa, and Montreal, led by political, media, cultural, academic and business elites from these and other cities along the St. Lawrence watershed - what he calls "The Laurentian Consensus."

Watch video of this event.

ROBERT J. SAWYER: "Humanity 2.0"

November 21, 2011

In this talk by Robert J. Sawyer, Canada's leading science-fiction author and internationally respected futurist, he discussed what it will mean to be human in a future shaped, not by ethical or cultural precepts, but by our fast-changing technological advances.

Watch video of this event.

ALEX HIMELFARB: How Did "Taxes" Become a Bad Word?

October 12, 2011

In this talk by Dr. Alex Himelfarb, he asked how "taxes" become a bad word in Canada. Was it our loss of trust in the government or, in one another, or does it run even deeper: a loss of trust in the future? Himelfarb went on to talk about what he thinks politicians - right, left, centre - refuse to tell us: We will have to pay more in taxes, but we'll also have to change the way we think about what our future is worth.

This event was presented with the generous support of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), with introductory remarks to be provided by Bruce Campbell (Executive Director, CCPA).

Watch video of this event.

JEFFREY MELANSON :"The Evolving Role of the Arts in Canada"

May 24, 2011

A lively discussion on the arts' changing role in Canada today - and where they're headed - with Jeffrey Melanson. Melanson is the Executive Director and co-CEO of Canada's National Ballet School. He is a trustee with the National Guild of Community Schools for the Arts (U.S.) and was the first arts leader to be appointed one of Canada's Top 40 Under 40 for 2009. In 2011, he accepted the role of special advisor on arts and culture to Mayor Rob Ford.

This event was presented with the generous support of TD Bank Group, and introductory remarks will be provided by Scott Mullin (Vice President, Community Relations, TD Bank Group).

Watch video of this event.

ARMINE YALNIZYAN: "Economics, Equality and Democracy"

April 4, 2011

"The rich get richer and the poor get poorer" - that’s just the way life is, right? In fact, Canada’s history shows that increasing inequality is not inevitable. For most of the 20th century, inequality decreased in Canada, and we grew into a prosperous, middle class society that held out a noble promise: with a little hard work and education, we all could aspire to a better life. The last three decades, though, have produced a tectonic economic shift— the middle is being squeezed, the poor are losing ground, and the rich are taking a bigger share of growth than at any time since the 1920s. What does this mean for our future well-being? Yalnizyan takes us on a tour of the research, connecting the dots between economics, inequality and democracy— challenging the very notion of the Canadian dream.

Watch video of this event.

MICHAEL ADAMS: "The Boomer Impact"

March 8, 2011

Award-winning author and pollster Michael Adams draws on two decades' worth of data to describe his generation's thoughts on topics ranging from retirement and spirituality to sexuality and funeral plans, as Canada's Baby Boomers (more than 9 million men and women) enter the second half of their adult lives. Adams divides Boomers into four social-values "tribes," and will outline each tribe's approach to health, technology, family, consumption, spirituality and politics, as well as each tribe's projected impact on society. The trends and insights Adams finds are invaluable to policy makers, human resource professionals, and anyone seeking to understand where Baby Boomers - and the rest of us - are headed in the years to come.

Watch video of this event.

ANDREW HEINTZMAN: "Our Green Economy"

November 15, 2010

Author and venture capitalist Andrew Heintzman profiles innovative business leaders at the forefront of the expanding "green economy." These cutting-edge entrepreneurs are developing environmentally responsible technologies and products for export to the global marketplace, using the forces of capitalism as catalysts for broad social change. Introductory remarks by Toby Heaps, editor of Corporate Knights magazine.

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PETER C. NEWMAN: "Telling Tales on Politicians"

October 4, 2010

Peter C. Newman tells stories and share his insights about how he captures the essence of a politician on the page. Mr. Newman has sold over 2 million books chronicling Canada’s most ambitious politicians, and more of his work is featured in the October issue of the LRC.

Watch video of this event.