Fascinating Canadian Speaker Series

Luncheon with a Fascinating Canadian

Date: Wednesday, November 25, 2026
Time: 11:30am to 1:30pm
Location: Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21
In support of the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21.

For event information, sponsorships or ticket sales, contact Ellen Sikorski.

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The Fascinating Canadian Speaker Series is the Museum’s signature fundraiser held annually in Toronto and Halifax. Each event features a notable Canadian recognized as an expert in their field. Most have a direct link to the immigration experience and share their own family’s journey, as well as their thoughts on the important role immigration has had and continues to have in impacting our economy, culture, and way of life.

This year's keynote speakers in Halifax will be Andrew Molson, C.M., C.Q. and Helen Antoniou.

Headshot of Andrew Molson wearing a suit and smiling.

Headshot of Helen Antoniou smiling.

Image Gallery

A portrait of Romeo Dallaire posed with a white man and woman, all dressed formally, inside the Museum.

A portrait of Joe Schlesinger and Ruth Goldbloom taken inside the Museum with Pier 21 signs in the background.

A portrait of John de Chastelain standing with three other white people, including Ruth Goldbloom, inside the Museum.

Peter Mansbridge, wearing a suit with a poppy, poses with a woman in a pinstripe jacket.

Adrienne Clarkson stands on stage beside a podium and poses with a man in a grey suit.

General Rick Hillier, wearing a Canadian Forces uniform, poses with an Afghan woman who is an employee of the Museum.

Purdy Crawford speaks at a podium with an older Museum logo on the front, and a large Canadian flag made of puzzle pieces behind him.

General Walt Natynczyk speaks at a podium with an older Museum logo on the front, wearing a Canadian Armed Forces uniform.

Annette Verschuren speaks at a podium with an older Museum logo on the front, and a large Canadian flag made of puzzle pieces behind her.

Wadih Fares smiles at a podium that says Historic Pier 21 on the front, with people out of focus in the background.

Jim Chu speaks at a podium with the Museum logo on the front, and a newspaper projected on a screen behind him.

Kevin Lynch speaking with his hands on a podium with the Museum logo on the front, and sponsor logos behind him.

Ken Rowe, photographed from the side, speaks at a podium wearing a pinstripe suit.

A white man in a black suit with a red tie speaks at a Museum podium.

Jennifer Tory speaks at a podium with the Museum logo on the front, wearing a black blazer with a poppy.

Brandt Louie speaks at a podium, wearing a red tie and maple leaf pin.

Dr. Jim Spatz, wearing a suit, speaks at a podium with sponsor logos and the Nova Scotian flag on banners behind him.

John Tory, wearing a suit, speaks at a podium that says Diversity Our Strength on the front with a Museum banner behind him.

John E Peller speaking to a group of people at a podium with the name and logo of the Museum on the front.

Ralph Chiodo, wearing a suit, speaks at a podium with a Museum banner behind him.

John Risley speaks at a podium wearing a suit and blue tie.

Lino Saputo speaks at a podium with the Museum logo on the front and photos projected onto a screen behind him, while a crowd watches.

Linda Hasenfratz speaks at a podium with a hotel logo on the front, and text projected onto a screen behind her.

Victor Dodig, photographed from the side, speaks at a podium with photos projected onto a screen behind him.

Dr Gina Cody speaks at a podium with photos of people projected onto a screen behind her.

Calin Rovinescu, wearing a suit, speaks at a podium.

Ajay Virmani, wearing a suit, speaks at a podium with the word Cargojet projected onto a screen behind him.

Taking place annually in Toronto and in Halifax, Fascinating Canadian events are the Museum’s signature fundraisers. Leaders and experts speak about their relationship to immigration and the important contribution it makes to our economy, culture, and way of life. Funds raised support exhibitions, educational programs, family history research, and our vast story collection.

Past Fascinating Canadian Speakers

Speaker	Year	Location
Mirko Bibic	2026	Toronto
Rosalie Abella, CC	2026	Halifax
John M. Beck, OOnt	2025	Toronto
Sherry Porter, CM	2024	Halifax
Dr. Ajay K. Virmani, OOnt	2024	Toronto
Calin Rovinescu, CM	2023	Halifax
Gina P. Cody, CM	2023	Toronto
Calin Rovinescu, CM	2022	Toronto
Victor Dodig	2022	Halifax
Linda Hasenfratz, CM	2019	Toronto
Lino A. Saputo, Jr. CM	2019	Halifax
Ralph Chiodo, CM	2018	Toronto
John C. Risley, OC	2018	Halifax
John E. Peller, OC	2017	Halifax
Mayor John Tory	2016	Toronto
Jim Spatz, CM	2016	Toronto
Brandt C. Louie, CM, OBC	2015	Vancouver
Jennifer Tory, CM	2015	Halifax
Gordon M. Nixon, CM, OOnt	2014	Toronto
Kenneth C. Rowe, CM	2014	Halifax
The Hon. Kevin Lynch, OC	2014	Halifax
Chief of Police Jim Chu	2012	Halifax
Wadih M. Fares, CM	2012	Halifax
Annette Verschuren, CM	2010	Halifax
Gen. Walt Natynczyk	2009	Halifax
Purdy Crawford, CC	2009	Halifax
Gen. Rick J. Hillier, OC	2008	Halifax
The Rt. Hon. Adrienne Clarkson, CC	2007	Halifax
Peter Mansbridge, OC	2006	Halifax
Gen. A. John G. D. de Chastelain, OC	2005	Halifax
Joe Schlesinger, CM	2004	Halifax
Lt. Gen. the Hon. Roméo Dallaire, OC	2003	Halifax