Category Archives: Breakfast Speakers 2013
Breakfast Speaker May 17, 2024
An inspiring political memoir of resilience and public service
In this memoir, David Warner shares an engaging, lighthearted, and no-holds-barred narrative of his journey.
“If you think everything is so bad with the Tories, why don’t you do something about it.” This was the challenge laid out to David Warner, then an elementary school teacher, by one of his colleagues. This challenge sparked a decades-long political career as a New Democrat, beginning with his attempts to get elected in the 1972 and 1974 federal elections, followed by seven subsequent election battles in provincial politics in Ontario.
Despite a pattern of victory, defeat, then another victory followed by defeat, Warner’s perseverance ultimately led to his election as the Speaker of the Province of Ontario Legislature from 1990 to 1995. Until his election as Speaker in 1990, there had been only 32 people who had served as Speaker. Additionally, his election was the first time a Speaker had been elected by his/her peers.
“My book is woven with humorous takes from the trails. I learned that a politician needs to balance the agony of defeat with a good sense of humour. It also provides cautionary advice for anyone considering entering the political arena. My story is a counter to today’s toxic atmosphere in Canada’s political landscape. My intent is to encourage the art of listening, respectful discussion, respect for one another, and a determination to strengthen our parliamentary democracy.”
Warner’s reflections on his tenure as Speaker offer a rare and insightful look into the role’s significance in parliamentary institutions. His candid account of balancing political life, family, and community adds a valuable dimension to political memoir literature. Warner’s narrative is not just a recounting of his political battles but a heartfelt story of resilience, community, and the enduring spirit of public service.
DAVID WARNER is a Canadian politician who served as a member of the Ontario Legislative Assembly. Representing the New Democratic Party (NDP), he held office in the Toronto riding of Scarborough-Ellesmere from 1975 to 1981, again from 1985 to 1987, and finally from 1990 to 1995. Warner notably served as the Speaker of the Ontario Legislature from 1990 to 1995. He was known for his dedication to education issues and advocacy for fairer labour practices during his political career.
Breakfast Speaker November 15, 2025
Terri Favro
Raised in wine country and now living in Toronto, Terri Favro is the author of five novels and one work of popular science, “Generation Robot: A Century of Science Fiction, Fact, and Speculation”. Her novels include “The Sisters Sputnik” and“Sputnik’s Children”, which was a Globe & Mail 100 novel, CBC and Quill & Quire Best Book of the Year, longlisted for CBC Canada Reads 2020 and shortlisted for the Sunburst Prize for Canadian Literature of the Fantastic. Terri has been shortlisted for the CBC Prize in Creative Non-Fiction, and her short stories and essays have appeared in numerous anthologies and magazines, most recently in On Spec, Prairie Fire and the Dundurn anthology, “Devouring Tomorrow: Fiction from the Future of Food”. Terri also collaborates on graphic novels with visual artist Ron Edding, most recently a true crime story set in 1933 Toronto, “COLD CITY”. Terri’s new novel “The False Queen’s Archive” is forthcoming from Brain Lag Books in 2026. Terri is currently working on a folk horror novel set in a Niagara vineyard. Learn more about Terri at terrifavro.ca
Breakfast Speakers 2023
Breakfast Speakers 2021
September 9, 2018 Barb Nobel Launches New Book
Long time WEN member, Barb Nobel wishes to invite all WEN members to her book launch on October 20. Here are the details.
BOOK LAUNCH: eDgy pEopLe Barb Nobel
DATE: Oct. 20, 2018 at 7 pm. to 8:30, or however long you want to stay. Coffee and snacks and author readings
PLACE: 516 Rogers Road, Toronto – a most unusual space
The 40 short stories in this collection are stories of regret, revenge, imagination, humour, sadness, introspection, peculiar events, and peculiar people. The stories will yank the reader from rage to triumph, sorrow to joy, cruelty to compassion. The individuals are your grandmother, your child, your friend, or your foe. But none are dull. They are eDgy pEopLe.
June 1, 2016 WEN Receives Award from Andrea Horwath
Jasmine Jackman accepts an award from NDP Leader Andrea Horwath at the last CEMA (Canadian Ethnic Media Association) meeting in May of 2016. The award recognizes the Writers and Editors Association for their contributions to the community.
April 16, 2016 Wallace House Launches Anthology
Wallace House Writers’ Guild Book Launch
The Wallace House Writers’ Guild, many of whom have joined WEN, are launching their first anthology titled “Through the Brown Door.” You are welcome to attend the launch on Saturday, April 16th from 1 to 4 PM at the historic Wallace House located at 137 Woodbridge Ave in Woodbridge.
They also plan to attend the WEN meeting in May to present their anthology.
Writers Community of Simcoe County Contest
The Writers Community of Simcoe County have contacted WEN to announce that they are having a short-story contest. Deadline is March 31, 2016. Please go to their website for more details.