On Monday, November 23rd, hundreds packed the third floor of the Hyatt to honour Mr. Brown of Canaccord Capital with the T. Patrick Boyle Founder’s Award.

Attendees included Frank Giustra, Police Chief Jim Chu, Premier Gordon Campbell and even Ontario Premier Mike Harris.

The T. Patrick Boyle Founder’s Award is the Fraser Institute’s highest award. It is given to individuals who exemplify the institute’s libertarian values. Mr. Brown is now among a rare few who have received the award; Mr. Harley Hotchkiss, former Canadian Prime Minister the Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney, Hong Kong’s former deputy leader Anson Chan, Alberta’s former Premier Ralph Klein and Conrad Black (citation needed) are the ones whom we’ve previously seen associated with the award.

From a former Fraser Institute invite:

This award, named for the Fraser Institute’s founder, is presented annually to celebrate the establishment of The Fraser Institute in 1974. T. Patrick Boyle is currently Vice Chairman of the Fraser Institute. Each year, this prestigious award is presented to a person who best exemplifies the mission and philosophy of the Fraser Institute.

To find out more about the Fraser Institute, check out their website, HERE.

Erin, President of the mining company Puget Ventures and columnist on citycaucus.com is heard alongside Moe Sihota (former NDP MLA, business owner, activist) and Rafe Mair (not present for the event) Monday mornings on CBC radio.

Harvey Enchin is a prolific columnist and editorial board member of the Vancouver Sun and has been in the business  for over 30 years.

Incidentally, Moe, for being such a good sport, got a round of applause from his colleagues, organizers and the crowd.

To find out what was said, watch the exclusive videos from the event and read the original release, after the jump.

Erin Chutter (nee Airton and best known as Erin Airton) speaks

Moe Sihota speaks

Finally, Harvey Enchin speaks

The original release:

Boiling point:
The HST & the BC Deficit
A lively forum between you and…

Harvey Enchin *New speaker*
Columnist & Editorial Board member, the Vancouver Sun

Erin Chutter (née Airton)
Columnist, citycaucus.com

Moe Sihota
Former NDP MLA & activist

With BC’s Liberal government announcing plans to combine the provincial sales tax and federal GST into a single Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) of 12 per cent, many disgruntled British Columbians are threatening to shift their support to the BC NDP. The government added further fuel to an already heated atmosphere with its Aug 20th announcement to extend deficit spending for an additional two years.

Join commentators Erin Chutter and Moe Sihota to discuss how the parties are positioning themselves around these contentious issues. This duo wakes you up every Monday morning on CBC Radio, and will be joined by Harvey Enchin – heavyweight journalist from the Vancouver Sun. This is your chance to interact with them all live – just days after BC Finance Minister Colin Hansen delivers the provincial budget update!

Thursday, September 10

The next Behind the Spin event takes place October 1st and features Rudyard Griffiths, Daphne Bramham and Angus Reid who will speak about Canadian values. Find out more at www.fraserinstitute.org.

On Wednesday, June 24th, an interested group of attendees filled the chic new restaurant in the Loden Hotel, Voya, to hear the Senator speak. The ‘Duff’ entertained the room with a number of topics from how normal and hardworking our current Prime Minister is, to the back room skullduggery currently occurring within the Liberal Party and Bob Wray’s aspirations to lead the Liberals.

Here’s some video with Senator Duffy speaking on that exact point.

To find out more about the host of the evening’s event, check out the Fraser Institute online, HERE.

In 2007, Levant came under fire for publishing the infamous Danish cartoons of Mohammed in his now defunct magazine. After doing so, Levant was targeted by various groups through the Canadian human rights complaints process – a commission that Levant refers to as a farce. Check out the original release, after the jump.

The original release:

Is the politically correct climate of today undermining our guaranteed rights to freedom of expression and freedom of the press? Recent events ranging from the actions of Canada’s human rights commissions to the use of special facilitators by universities to monitor students’ conversations have left many questioning just how much “free speech” Canadians can count on.

Join Ezra Levant, blogger, author of the book Shake Down: How our Government is Undermining Democracy in the Name of Human Rights, and former publisher of the Western Standard, during the first evening of the Fraser Institute’s spring cocktail series, Behind the Spin: Fraser@Metro for a discussion on the status of free speech in Canada on Tuesday, March 31.

Levant is the former publisher of the Western Standard, which created substantial controversy with its publication of the infamous Danish cartoons of the prophet Muhammad. Before founding the Western Standard, he worked in Ottawa for several opposition leaders and as a lawyer in Calgary. He appears regularly on TV and radio as a political pundit, and is the author of several books.

Behind the Spin: Fraser@Metro offers a unique opportunity to discuss an array of issues with opinion-makers whose leadership on key topics informs the news and public debate.

Interested media are invited to attend. I hope that you are able to make it.

Date:        Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Time:        5:30 pm–7:30 pm (Program from 6:30pm to 7:15pm)
Location:        The Metro Restaurant, 200 Burrard Street (at Cordova), Waterfront Centre

On Tuesday evening, Honourable Chief Justice, Donald Brenner, spoke at Metro Restaurant as part of the Fraser Institute Behind the Spin Series of events. Check out the original release and find out more about other Fraser Institute events, after the jump.

The original release:

Trial and Error? Moving Civil Justice into the 21st Century

Tuesday, November 18th, 2008
A Conversation with Honourable Chief Justice Donald Brenner

A champion of sweeping reforms to our province’s legal system, Chief Justice Brenner will join us for a discussion on what has turned into a highly controversial provincial issue. The proposed rules around the way law suits are conducted are designed to make our 19th century legal system less expensive and more efficient. Yet outspoken critics – including judges, lawyers, and the Law Society of BC – have said the amendments will restrict citizen’s rights, add costs to litigants, and drag out the length of time required to deal with each case.
What should be done to make our legal system more effective and just for the average
citizen?

……….

The Fraser Institute’s signature Behind the Spin series takes place at the classy Metro Restaurant at Waterfront Centre. This fabulous space has crystal clear sound, panoramic views, and tasty hors d’oeuvres to complement the discerning tastes of our guests.
Host Leah Costello will engage our speakers and audience in lively and open dialouge. Our popular reception format offers unique access to the opinion-makers whose leadership on key topics informs the news and public debate.
Also, be sure to sign up for the private dinner with the speaker – this intimate salon-style setting offers you the opportunity to continue the conversation over an exquisite meal well into the evening.

Location:
Metro Restaurant
200 Burrard Street (at Cordova), Waterfront Centre
Vancouver, BC

Program:
Cocktail Reception: 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Speaker & Discussion: 6:30 – 7:15 pm
(Optional) Private Dinner: 7:30 – 9:30 pm
Cost:
Individual Ticket: $65
Series Pass (3 Events): $175
(Optional) Private Dinner: $195

To read more about other Fraser Institute events, we’ve covered check out our search results for ‘Fraser Institute,’ HERE.

Click on the above player to listen to the episode.

In this episode Raj Taneja talks about previous events, Sorel Etrog’s appearance at Buschlen Mowatt Gallery, Mike Relm at the Commodore, the FMAs at the Centre for Performing Arts, the Insight Studios Red Carpet at Edgewater Casino, Zbignew Brzezinski at the Four Seasons with the Fraser Institute and upcoming events, Talelight Films Talelight Night at the OPUS Hotel, Gibson’s Iron Bar, and an Open House at the Terminal City Club.

Check out TALK 1410AM, The Buzz of Vancouver online, HERE and don’t forget to tune in Thursday mornings at 9:15 am.

Click on the above player to listen to the episode.

In this episode Raj Taneja talks about previous events, Wet Paint at TRUNK gallery, DJ Diamond at OPUS Hotel, Oktoberfest at Alpen Hall, Grey Goose’s Arbiter of Cool Competition, and upcoming events, Carrie Wheeler and Sistar Films Red Carpet at Red Squared, Mike Relm at the Commodore, FMA – Sky360 at the Centre and Zbignew Brzezinski with the Fraser Institute at the Four Seasons.

Check out TALK 1410AM, The Buzz of Vancouver online, HERE and don’t forget to tune in Thursday mornings at 9:15 am.

The event, which is the second installment in the Behind the Spin series in Vancouver for Fall 2007, attracted both government and corporate funders to hear what both parties had to say.

Check out the original release and find out about the next event, titled Truly SiCKO, after the jump.

Debate: The Role of Government in Funding Arts & Culture
with Elizabeth Nickson, former Columnist, The National Post
and Maestro Bramwell Tovey, Music Director, The Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Tuesday, October 23, 2007 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Fierce, bold and always controversial, Elizabeth Nickson is an award-winning journalist known for her high-profile interviews and candid opinions. A lover of the arts herself, she is a huge opponent to government-sanctioned “official culture”. Find out why she believes we must decommission the Canada Council along with other organizations responsible for funding.

Bramwell Tovey is one of our city’s most beloved leaders in the arts community. He has created thousands of followers by sharing his passion for music and those who bring it to us. With a charming personality and engaging intellect, he will paint a compelling pitch for society’s role in supporting our institutions.

Truly SiCKO: Canada’s Ailing Healthcare System
with Rick Baker, Founder, Timely Medical Alternatives (along with other invited speakers TBC)
Wednesday, November 14, 2007 5:30 – 7:30 pm

There are over 750,000 Canadians currently on the waiting list for referrals or medical procedures. Timely Medical Alternatives profits by helping some of them “leave the queue” by getting them treatment in private clinics in Canada or in US hospitals. Founder Rick Baker is causing waves of controversy wherever he goes and garnering media attention across North America. In fact, John Stossel of ABC’s 20/20 has recently featured him in an hour-long documentary on healthcare reform. Some say he’s a man with a passion for patients but some say he’s destroying the system Canadians hold dear. What do you think?

You can register for these events HERE. Check out all the photos from Fraser Institute events, HERE.