In regard to speakers, variety and balance in speaker subject matter is of utmost importance. We have identified the following as the main areas of topics of presentations by our speakers: Arts and Culture, Business and Industry, Economic and Financial, Education, Environment, Global Affairs, Health, History, Science, Sports. As stated by our founding President, John Leonard, in the February 2004 edition of Shorelines: “The objectives of our speakers and their presentations should be to tell us where we are going, not just where we are or where we have been. We continue to seek speakers who are leaders in their fields, who can help us look at current affairs with perhaps a totally different perspective, even when we may not fully agree with them.” Below are lists of Guest Speakers listed by Year. When permission is granted, a link to the presentation can be viewed by clicking on the coloured “italicized topic”.
2021 Guest Speakers and Presentations (when available)
January
King Wan,“Ship Building in the Lower Mainland during World War II”
February
The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould PC MP, Politics and Current Affairs, “TBA”
March
Dr. Allan Burgmann, Lions Gate Hospital, Emergency Department Improvements, “TBA”
April
Jonathan Manthorpe, How the book “Restoring Democracy” Came Out of “Claws of the Panda”
May
Dr. Rocco Marra, Cancer Treatment Based on Genomics
June
Steve MacDonald, The Pacific Science Enterprise Centre, Delivery of Science-based knowledge, “TBA”
July
John Atkin, Historian, “Downtown Eastside History Relative to Hogans Alley and the Viaducts”
August
Dr. Michael Walker, Economist, “TBA”
September
Anna Stukas, Carbon Engineering Ltd.
October
TBA
November
Dennis Molnar, Historian, “Amazing People Stories of World War 2 (Part 3) including the British Woman who sank 5 German U-Boats”
December
No speaker due to Christmas Luncheon
2020 Guest Speakers and Presentation (when available)
January
Dr. Bruce McManus, Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UBC, “Probing Blood to Forecast Health”
February
Mr. Justice S. David Frankel, BC Court of Appeal, “The Court of Appeal for British Columbia: Who we are and What we do”
March
Christopher Gaze, OBC, Founding Artistic Director, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival, “All the World’s a Stage”
April
CANCELLED due to COVID-19 Health Concerns
May
CANCELLED due to COVID-19 Health Concerns
June
Zoom Meeting with Dr. Ralph Sultan, 19 Yrs MLA, Harvard Economics PhD, “Lessons Learned from 20 Years in Politics”
July
Zoom Meeting with Terry Hood, “The New North Vancouver Museum and Archives: an Exciting Community Amenity Coming Soon”
August
Zoom Meeting with Kandys Merola, Executive Director, “T.B. Vets Foundation”
September
Dennis Molnar, Historian, “Amazing People Stories of World War 2 (Part 2) including the Jailed German Generals who lived on British Estates, shopped in London and dined at the Ritz.”
Zoom Meeting with Tom Van Walleghem, “Contributions of the Canadian First Nations during WW1, 1914 – 1918”
December
No speaker due to Christmas Zoom Holiday Presentation
2019 Guest Speakers and Presentation (when available)
January
Tom Van Walleghem, Military Historian and Author, “The 100th Anniversary of the end of WWI – The War to End All Wars
February
Mark Pearmain, Superintendent of Schools, North Vancouver School District, Ocean Wise, “Change in BC Public Education”
March
Ashlie Corcoran, Artistic Director, Arts Club Theatre Company, The Arts Club – A New Era
April
Roddy MacKenzie,“WWII Bomber Command”
May
John Weston, MP, “How Would You Lead in the 21st Century?”
June
Dennis Molnar, Historian, “Ten WW2 Stories, Including the Spy Who Inspired James Bond “
July
Dr. Glenn Landy and Tim Pezzaro, Nano-Lit Technologies,“Circadian Rhythms, Sleep, and Circadian Rhythm Lighting”
August
Jim Allworth, Investment Strategist, RBC Dominion Securities, “Thinking About What Comes Next – Thoughts on the Outlook for the Global Economy and Financial Markets”
September
Eleanor Campbell and Jane Jordan, “Developments in Palliative and Hospice Care on the North Shore”
Peter Klein, Award-Winning Journalist and Documentary Filmmaker, “Risk to Democracy: When the 4th https://www.probus-northshorevancouver.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/2018-Sept.10-G.-Baier-Presentation.pdfEstate Comes Under Attack”
November
Dr. Cheryl Wellington, Centre fro Brain Health, UBC, “Concussion and Dementia”
December
No speaker due to Christmas Luncheon
2017 Guest Speakers and Presentation (when available)
January
Dr. John Innes, Professor and Dean, Faculty of Forestry, UBC – “Is Forestry in BC Heading for a Crisis?”
Andy Yan, Adjunct Professor, SFU Urban Studies Program – “Urban Planning”
October
Professor Paul Evans, Institute of Asian Research and Liu Institute for Global Issues, UBC – “Averting a Second Korean War: Options and Delemmas for China, the United States, North Korea (and Canada)”
November
Dennis Molnar, Historian, “Part I:- Living Behind the Berlin Wall: Life for Families in Cold War East Germany”
December
No speaker due to Christmas Luncheon
2016 Guest Speakers and Presentation (when available)
January
Linda Fawcus and Tannis Fuller, Gluu Technology Society- “The Internet of Things”
February
Dennis Molnar, Military History Enthusiast – “WWII Spitfire Fighter Aircraft”
March
Dr. Brian Riddell, President and CEO, Pacific Salmon Foundation – “PSF and the State of BC’s Pacific Salmon:Today and Tomorrow”
April
Dr. Paul Evans, Professor, Institute of Asian Research and Liu Institute for Global Issues, UBC – “Troubled Waters: China and Maritime Disputes in its Neighbouring Seas”
May
Capt. Bill Noon – “Finding Erebus: The 2014 Search for the Franklin Expedition”
Jonathan Whitworth, CEO, Seaspan ULC- “Seaspan Today”
November
Dr. Trevor Heaver, Professor Emeritus, Sauder School of Business, UBC – “Ships at Your Door” (large file)
December
No speaker due to Christmas Luncheon
2015 Guest Speakers and Presentation (when available)
January
John R. McKearney, MA, CFO, Fire Chief, General Manager, Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services – “Community Fire Rescue Services Involved in Social Engineering”
February
Barry Forbes, TransLink Board Vice-Chair – “Metro Vancouver Transportation Needs and Future Challenges.”
Dr. André Gerolymatos, Chair of Hellenic Studies at SFU – “The War Within the War: The Sunni Shia Conflict, Terrorism, The Refugee Crisis and The Impact of the EU Countries”
November
Dr. David Sweet, O.C., DMD, Ph.D., Director of Students, Professor Dentistry, BOLD Forensic Laboratory – “Behind the Crime Scene Barrier Tape”
December
No speaker due to Christmas Luncheon
2014 Guest Speakers and Presentation (when available)
January
Dr. John Helliwell, Professor of Economis (Emeritus),, UBC – “How to be Happy”
February
Rhona Hunter, P.Eng., Program Director, Infrastructure Development, Container Capacity Improvement Program, Port Metro Vancouver
March
Dr. Robert G. Evans, Health Economist, Centre for Health Services and Policy Research, UBC
April
Danny Catt, B.Sc., M.Sc., Wildlife Ecologiest, Educator and Photographer, Arctice Adventure Traveller, Faculty, BCIT
May
Dr. André Gerolymatos, Chair of Hellenic Studies at SFU – “Crimea and Russia”
June
Nicole Garton, Lawyer and Mediator, Heritage Law – “Protect Yourself – New Wills and Estate Act”
The Honourable Wally Oppal, Q.C., Boughton Law –“Be Fraud Aware”
October
Brad Simpson, Partner and Vice-President, Hedge Fund Strategy, Picton Mahoney Asset Management- “Investments Strategy, Projections and Issues”
November
Don Vicic., Probus Member –“Great Battlefields from WWI and WWII”
December
No speaker due to Christmas Luncheon
2013 Guest Speakers and Presentation (when available)
January
John Shaw, P. Eng., Vice President, Government Relations and Business Development, Seaspan Shipyards – “The National Shipbuilding Procurement Strategy Impact on Vancouver”
Detective Mark Fenton, Vancouver Police, Technological Crimes Unit, Internet Investigations – “Internet Scams, Shams and Flim Flams” – more info click here
April
Fred Wah, Parliamentary Poet Laureate of Canada – “Poetry’s My Pension Plan”
May
James McCormack, Professor, Pharmaceutical Services, UBC – “Medical Myths You Need to Learn About Before It’s Too Late”
2012 Guest Speakers and Presentation (when available)
January
Hans Schreier, Ph.D., Professor, Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, UBC – “Local and World Water Resources, Present and Future” – view the PDF presentation
February
Dr. Brian Day, Associate Professor UBC, Midical Director Cambie Medical Centre- “Straight vs Crooked Thinking in Reforming Our Health System”
March
Jim Carter, Former principal at West Vancouver High School – “West Vancouver Then and Now”
April
Jamie Taras, Director of Community Relations with BC Lions
May
Dr. James A. Boutilier, Asia-Pacific Advisor, Canada’s Maritime Forces Pacific Headquarters- “Emerging Maritime Threats in East Asia”
Dr. David A. Wood, MD, FRCPC, Structural and Interventional Cardiologist at VGH and SPH Director, Undergraduate Cardiovascular Assistant Professor at UBC, “Minimally Invasive Surgery for Structural Heart Disease and Valve Replacement”, View Presentation
October
Herbert Grubel, Professor of Economics (Emeritus), SFU and Senior Fellow, The Fraser Institute –“Is the Euro Dead?” View presentation here
November
Ian D. Anderson, President, Kinder Morgan Canada – “Kinder Morgan Canada’s Application to Twin the TransMountain Pipeline between Canada and the Lower Mainland.” View his presentation
December
No speaker due to Christmas Luncheon
2011 Guest Speakers and Presentation (when available)
January
Dr. John Maynard,Co-Senior Medical Director, Coastal HSDA- “Health Care Report for North Shore, Vancouver, and British Columbia” view presentation here
February
John Allan, President and CEO, Council of Forest Industries and President, BC Lumber Trade Council, “Past Present and Future of the Forest Industry”–View presentation here
March
Rick Antonson, President and CEO, Tourism Vancouver- “The Economic Importance of Tourism”
April
Pierre Gratton, President and CEO, Mining Association of British Columbia- “Mining In BC-the Opportunity” view the presentation here
May
Graham E. Fuller, Adjunct Professor of History, SFU and former Vice-Chairman of the National Intelligence Council of the CIA – “Middle East from the Inside”
June
Vivian Krause, Researcher and Writer – “American Funding of Environmental and Political Campaigns in Canada”
July
Dr. Corina Andreoiu, Professor of Nuclear Science, SFU and TRIUMF – “Nuclear Plants and Issues Around the World”
August
Jeff Bowser and Martin Eady, Invest Right, BC Securities Commission, “How to Protect Yourself from Securities Fraud and Inappropriate investments”
September
Ian Jarvis,CEO,Translink
October
Dr. André Gerolymatos, Chair of Hellenic Studies at SFU – “The Arab Winter: Transformation of the Middle East”
November
Nicole Garton-Jones, Heritage Law – “Estate Planning Essentials and New Law in BC” view presentation here
December
No speaker due to Christmas Luncheon
2010 Guest Speakers and Presentation (when available)
January
John McDonald, Chairman and CEO of Day4 Energy – “Worldwide Engergy”
February
Dr. André Gerolymatos, Chair of Hellenic Studies at SFU – “The Way Forward in the Middle East”
March
Jock Finlayson, Executive Vice President-Policy, Business Council of BC – “Prosperity in a Competitive World: British Columbia’s Post-Olympic Decade”
April
Dr. Brett J. Skinner, President, Fraser Institute and Director Health and Insurance Policy – “Health Care Systems Around the World: Compare and Contrast”
May
Dan Doyle, Executive Vice President – Construction VANOC and Chair, BC Hydro – “2010 Olympics: Behind the Scenes”
June
Steve Davis, Director, Independent Power Producers Association of BC- “Independent Power Producers: Watts New” – here (6MB)
July
Dr. James R. McFarlane, Founder, International Submarine Engineering Ld. – “Voyages to the Bottom of the Seas”
August
Heb Grubel, Professor Emeritus, Economics, SFU, “Immigration”
Cheryl Wellington, PhD,UBC Brain Research, “Alzheimers Disease and Traumatic Brain Injury” – view her presentation here
November
Col. (Ret’d) Keith Maxwell, OMM, CD, “The Canadians in Normandy” view his presentation
December
No speaker due to Christmas Luncheon
2009 Guest Speakers and Presentation (when available)
January
Bjorn Moller, President and CEO of Teekay Shipping – “Building a Global Franchise”
February
Dr. André Gerolymatos, Chair of Hellenic Studies at SFU – “The Expanding War: From the Middle East to South Asia”
March
Dr. Jaymie Matthews, Professor and Mission Scientist, Astronomy Undergraduate Advisor, Department of Physics & Astronomy, UBC – “What if Galileo had a space telescope?”
April
Bob Boase, Probus Club Member – “Afghanistan: Deep Past and Dark Future”
May
Peter Leitch, President, North Shore Studios and Mammoth Studios, and Chair of the Motion Picture Production Industry Association of BC – “The past 20 years and the future challenges and opportunities for the film industry in B.C.”
June
Mark Mullins, Chair, B.C. Fraser Institute, “Market Meltdown: Global Trends and the Cycle Turn”
July
Red Robinson, Vancouver show business legend and impresario, “That’s Entertainment”
August
Christopher Gaze, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival founder, artistic director and at times, performer, “20th Anniversary of The Festival and insights on Shakespeare and Theatre”
September
Calvin D. Helin, member of the Tsimshian Nation from the northern BC community of Lax Kwalaams (Port Simpson), Author: “Dances with Dependency: Indigenous Success Through Self-reliance”, “New Hope for Native People”
October
Elspeth Bradbury, Landscape architect and author, “History of Vancouver North Shore: A View Through the Trees”
November
Dennis Molnar, Historian, “The Falklands War”
December
No speaker due to Christmas Luncheon
2008 Guest Speakers and Presentation (when available)
January
Michael Byers, Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at UBC – “Canadian Sovereignty in the Arctic: Who will control the Northwest Passage?”
February
Dr. André Gerolymatos, Chair of Hellenic Studies at SFU – “The Politics of Fragmentation: The West and the Middle East in the 21st Century”
March
Gail Anderson, Ph. D, Professor in Forensic Entomology, School of Criminology, SFU – “Murder and Maggots: The telling role insects play in gathering evidence for solving crimes.”
April
Doug Whitehead, Chairman, Finning International Inc. – “Success globally and a look into the oil-sands”
May
VANOC Director Taleeb Noormohamed; West Vancouver Mayor Pamela Goldsmith-Jones; and, Spirit of BC – North Shore Chair, Doug Smith – “Update on 2010 Olympics and Para-Olympics planning”
June
Martin Cronin, British Consul General to Western Canada – “The Challenge of International Terrorism and the Western Response”
July
Maxine Davis, Executive Director, Dr Peter Centre, Vancouver – “Providing Comfort Care for People Living with HIV/AIDS”
August
Jane Peverett, CEO, BC Transmission Corp, Vancouver – “’The challenges of meeting B.C.’s high voltage electrical transmission needs in the next 10 years”
September
Dr. Max Cynader, Director of the Brain Research Centre at UBC – “How to keep your brain healthy.”
October
Dr. Paul Evans, Ph. D, Asia Pacific Foundation Canada – “Canada and a Global China: Are we ready?”
November
Dennis Molnar, Researcher of WW II battles and operations – “The German Enigma Machine and British efforts to break the military encryption codes”
December
No speaker due to Christmas Luncheon
2007 Guest Speakers and Presentation (when available)
January
Dr. Eduard Fidler, Certified Financial Planner: “Costly mistakes in charitable giving and strategies to avoid them”
February
Dr. André Gerolymatos, Chair of Hellenic Studies, SFU: “Analysis of some current problems in the “hot spots” of the Middle East region”
March
David Baines, columnist, Vancouver Sun: “Experiences in the past 20 years uncovering white collar crime in the stock market”
April
Bev Van Ruyven, Executive Vice President Customer Care and Conservation, BC Hydro: “BC Hydro long term plans to address the emerging gap between electricity supply and demand”
May
Nick Geer, Chairman of the Board of NAV Canada, provider of Canadian civil air navigation services coast to coast: “NAV Canada‘s mission – Safety in Canada’s Skies”
June
Don Krosgeth, Past Chair, Nature Trust of BC: “35 Years of Conservation of sensitive habitat lands”
July
Jamie Graham, Chief Constable, Vancouver Police Department: “Five yearsofchallenges and experiences as Vancouver’stop cop”
August
Paul Gravett, Executive Director, Kay Meek Centre: “Successful turnaround at Kay Meek Centre and how the arts contribute greatly to West Vancouver’s cultural and business life”
September
Maurice McElrea, President, Union Gospel Mission: “History of the Mission and its important role in assisting people living through personal distress”
October
Steve Davis, President, Independent Power Producers of BC: “The part played by IPPs in response to BC Hydro challenge to return BC power generation to self-sufficiency by 2016”
November
Katherine Barber, Chief Editor, Canadian Oxford Dictionary: “A stimulating and fun look at the history of the English language”
December
No speaker due to Christmas Luncheon
2006 Guest Speakers and Presentation (when available)
January
James Delgado, FRGS, RPA, Executive Director, Vancouver Maritime Museum: “History of the museum from its founding in 1922”
February
Dr. André Gerolymatos, Chair of Hellenic Studies, SFU: “Update onsome current problems in the “hot spots” of the Middle East region”
March
Russ Anthony, President, the new Vancouver Convention Centre and Exposition Pavilion: “History of the existing trade and convention centre and description of the new Convention Centre expansion which is well underway”
April
Murray Leith, B. Comm.,CFA, VP and Director Investment Research, Odlum Brown Limited:“Tempered Expectations – expectations of relative performance of the Canadian vs. the US stock market”
May
Jim Taylor, journalist, author, broadcaster: “Writing for 47 years, sports for 30 of those, getting paid for what he loved to do and having fun, and not finished yet”
June
Jack Poole, CEO, Vancouver 2010 Olympics Committee: “The structure and membership of the Committee and the challenges for Canada staging the 2010 Olympic and Para-Olympic Winter Games”
July
Dr. John Maynard, Senior Director of Medicine, Lions Gate Hospital: “Some key issues facing health care today in British Columbia and the emerging family medicine crisis”
August
Pam Ryan, Director of Planning and Community Relations, Gateway Project, Ministry of Transportation: “The challenges and complexities of the proposed three billion dollar Ministry of Transportation Gateway Project”
September
Mark Ferguson, Senior Engineer, GVRD Water Filtration Project: “Description of ‘Canada’s largest water filtration plant, the $600 million project currently under construction on Vancouver’s North Shore”
October
David Bond, Chief Economist HSBC (retired):“From his years of experience in Canadian government service, humorous insights into the backstage problems of governing a country with no or little experience and only6 months to learn it”
November
Scheduled presentation by Peter Speer, Director and Chair, Nature Trust of B C was cancelled due to a power failure — was rescheduled and presented by Don Krosgeth, Past Chair, in June 2007
December
No speaker due to Christmas Luncheon
2005 Guest Speakers and Presentation (when available)
January
Dr. André Gerolymatos, Chair of Hellenic Studies, SFU: “Developments over the past year insome current problems areas in the “hot spots” of the Middle East region”
February
Daniel Muzyka, Dean, Sauder School of Business, UBC: “The challenges in the “Best of Times and the Worst of Times” in business education as UBC Faculty of Business completes 70 years of educating business and commerce students”
March
Pat Jacobson, Chief Executive Officer, Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority: The operations of the GVTA and the challenges faced in ensuring mobility of goods and people in a major urban center”
April
Dr. John Nightingale, President, Vancouver Aquarium: “As the Aquarium celebrates its 50th birthday, a look at its past and its future outlook and its valued contribution to our understanding of our marine environment”
May
Captain Gordon Houston, President, Vancouver Port Authority: “History of the VPA and the significant contribution of the VPA operations in the Vancouver area economy”
June
Mr. Bob Ackles, President BC Lions, Governor CFL: “Fifty-plus years of great football memories — the journey from water boy to Director of Football Operations with BC Lions and around the best of the NFL”
July
Christopher Gaze, Artistic Director and Founder, Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival: “History of the Festival and the oft unrecognized amazing influence of Shakespeare in our everyday lives”
August
Dr. Les Vertesi, Associate Director of Health Research, Fraser Health Authority: “Broken promises of health care in Canada: the present state; the basic problems faced today; how we got there; and ,the path forward to fix it”
September
John Boone, Cardiologist, speaks of his passion as an apiarist: “All you ever wanted to know about bees”
October
Martin Crilly, Commissioner, B.C. Ferries: “History and operations of BC Ferries – a look back at yesterday and forward to tomorrow”
November
(Maestro) Bramwell Tovey, Musical Director, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra: “The language of music and its impact on children and adults; the history and operations of the VSO”
December
No speaker due to Christmas Luncheon
2004 Guest Speakers and Presentation (when available)
January
Dr. André Gerolymatos, Chair of Hellenic Studies, SFU, and a recognized world class commentator on Middle Eastern affairs: “The history of Islam and analysis of the complex current situation in the Middle East”
February
Dr John Imrie, Chief Cardiologist, Lions Gate Hospital: “Dramatic and expensive) new therapies for heart disease …… can we afford them?”
March
Grant Churchill, Chief Constable, West Vancouver Police and Gordon Tomlinson, Officer in Charge, RCMP, North Vancouver: “The law on the North Shore, and the need for integration of police efforts”
April
Dr Paul Kariya, Executive Director, Pacific Salmon Foundation: “The Mission: Dedicated to conserve and rebuild the Pacific salmon population through strategic programs and efforts focused to meet common goals”
May
Bryan Williams, QC: “The role of the Court in a democratic society. Is there a significant role for Judicial Activism? “
June
Dr Max Cynader, Director, The Brain Research Centre, UBC: “The Aging Brain”, the challenges ahead for all of us, and the exciting research being done at the Centre”
July
John Schreiner, vintner, writer, columnist and author of articles and books about wine: “The wonderful wines of British Columbia”
August
Dr Greg Lee, President, Capilano College: “The challenges and opportun-ities in post-secondary education”
September
Dr Jack Blaney, Chair, Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform: “The current system and the difficult process of examining the options and making recommendations for a better electoral system for BC”
October
Peter Milburn, Project Director, Sea-to-Sky Highway Improvement Project: “Step by step presentation describing the immense challenges and difficulties of designing and building this enormous construction project”
November
Brian Burke, General Manager (former), Vancouver Canucks: “The basic concepts of running an NHL hockey club and the immense challenges of going back to square one to restart the club to build a winning franchise”
December
No speaker due to Christmas Luncheon
2003 Guest Speakers – Starting Year
October
Dr Rick Skinner, President, Royal Roads University, Victoria BC: “Report from the Edge: A new model of university education”
November
Michael Ryan, businessman, financial analyst, radio financial program host devoted to increasing the understanding and function of business: “Havoc in American corporate culture — Déjà vu …. Japan?”
December
No speaker due to Christmas Luncheon
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Contact Us
By Mail: The PROBUS Club of North Shore Vancouver
P.O. Box 92042, West Vancouver, B.C. V7V 4X4 or by By Email