Welcome to our 41st Season!
Dinner Speaker Program 2026-2027
2026
November 19 – Dr. Hendrik Poinar, PhD – “The Causes and Consequences of the Black Death” McMaster University Michael G. DeGroote Chair in Genetic Anthropology. A world renowned evolutionary geneticist specializing in ancient DNA, Dr. Poinar has uncovered minute traces of organic molecules in museum collections, fossils and sediments to uncover the genomes for the Black Death, the 1849 cholera epidemic, and the first complete ancient smallpox genome, among others. In our modern time, his lab developed a very effective rapid testing procedure for the COVID 19 virus. Recipient of many excellence in teaching awards, Dr. Poinar was named Distinguished University Professor by McMaster in May 2026. Read more.
2027
January 21 – Hank Idsinga – Metropolitan Toronto Police Detective (Retired) – His grandfather was murdered in the Holocaust, became the country’s leading homicide detective; he shares his insights into tracking down murderers and serial killers over his colourful and decorated thirty-year career. Author of #1 bestseller “The High Road – Confessions of a Homicide Cop”
February 18 – Dawn Bowdish – is a Professor (McMaster University) and the Canada Research Chair in Aging & Immunity. Her lab studies how the microbiota and the innate immune system change with age and how these changes impact healthy/unhealthy aging and increase susceptibility to pneumonia and COVID-19. Her talk, “Are your gut microbes the secret to a long, healthy life?”
March 25 – George Takach – “Taiwan, Canada, and Global Democracy”
April 29 – we have had to reschedule Dr. Bruce Lourie to the Fall of 2027. Once we have confirmed our speaker we will update.
Location: Oakville Conference Centre, 2515 Wyecroft Road (QEW & Bronte)
Registration/Cash Bar 6:00 pm; Dinner 7:00 pm
Members $65; Non-Members $75
