to this week's meeting of
The Rotary E-Club of Canada One
For the week beginning July 14, 2025
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Complete the form for a make-up!
Please leave a donation to assist our club to do Rotary's good works!
to this week's meeting of
The Rotary E-Club of Canada One
For the week beginning July 14, 2025
Scroll down to enjoy the content!
Complete the form for a make-up!
The Rotary theme for 2025-26 -
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Greeter this week
Our Club President, Judy
Inspirational moment
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Canadiana
📜 How and why did Canada become officially bilingual?
1. Historical Background:
• Canada was originally colonized by both France and Britain. When Britain took control of New France in 1763, French-speaking communities (mainly in Quebec) continued to thrive under British rule.
• The Constitution Act of 1867 (formerly the British North America Act) recognized both French and English in parliamentary debates and court proceedings in Quebec.
2. 20th Century Developments:
• By the 1960s, tensions were growing, particularly in Quebec, where many French-speaking Canadians felt marginalized economically and culturally. This was a key factor behind the Quiet Revolution (Révolution tranquille) — a period of rapid social and political change in Quebec.
3. The Royal Commission on Bilingualism and Biculturalism (1963-1969):
• In response to these tensions, Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson created this commission to explore the state of bilingualism and biculturalism in Canada.
• The commission recommended significant reforms, including that Canada adopt official bilingualism to reflect both founding linguistic communities.
4. Official Languages Act (1969):
• Under Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau, the Official Languages Act was passed in 1969. It made English and French the official languages of Canada, requiring federal institutions to provide services in both languages.
5. Constitutional Entrenchment (1982):
• The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982), as part of the new Constitution Act, entrenched language rights. Sections 16-22 of the Charter guarantee the equal status of English and French in federal institutions.
🤔 Why did Canada become officially bilingual?
1. Recognition of Cultural Duality:
• Canada’s history as a nation shaped by both French and British colonization made bilingualism a recognition of the country’s cultural and historical realities.
2. Addressing Quebec’s Concerns:
• Growing calls for independence in Quebec during the 1960s (and later) led federal leaders to promote bilingualism as a way to strengthen national unity and recognize the significant French-speaking population.
3. Commitment to Equality and Inclusion:
• Official bilingualism aimed to ensure that all Canadians, regardless of whether they spoke English or French, could access government services and participate fully in Canadian society.
4. National Identity and Unity:
• By embracing both languages, Canada sought to reflect its multicultural identity and foster a sense of belonging among its citizens.
🌟 In summary:
Canada became officially bilingual through a combination of historical context, cultural duality, and political decisions—most notably the Official Languages Act of 1969 and the constitutional protections in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
These moves acknowledged Canada’s two founding linguistic groups and sought to promote unity and equality across the country.
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Comments from our guests and members
Members and guests attending our weekly meetings are very important to us. Based on your comments we are able to produce many more educational, inspiring, and entertaining weekly meetings.
Following are some of the comments we have received. Would you please send us your comments?
June 3.
Great article on lighting up the Bay Bridge!
-- Patrick Gibson, E-Club of Canada One, District 5370
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Archived Meetings
- All meetings are archived. Click here to see a list and choose what you wish to view.
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Announcements
District 5370 Governor Ramesh Ferris
Unveils Vision for Impactful 2025-26 Rotary Year
At the recent Rotary District 5370 Conference held in Edmonton, District Governor (DG) Ramesh Ferris delivered an insightful presentation outlining his strategic plan for the 2025-26 Rotary year. His vision, deeply rooted in Rotary International's core priorities, promises a year of increased impact, expanded reach, and enhanced engagement for all members across our vibrant district.
In this comprehensive overview, DG Ferris shared key messages from Rotary International President-elect (now RI President), emphasizing the importance of understanding our audience, creating diverse membership options, and fostering consistent visibility. He delved into the development of multi-year club action plans, aligned with the Rotary Action Plan, to ensure our collective efforts continue to make a meaningful difference.
A significant portion of his address focused on ongoing support for The Rotary Foundation, including vital initiatives to End Polio and build positive peace through the Canadian Rotary Positive Peace Activators. He also highlighted the importance of The Rotary Foundation (TRF) Endowment Fund and strategies for enhancing participant engagement while ensuring inclusion for all.
Looking ahead, DG Ferris enthusiastically presented details for the next Rotary District 5370 Conference, slated for May 15-17, 2026, in the breathtaking city of Whitehorse. With the theme "Teamwork Makes the Dream Work," the conference promises a unique blend of inspiring speakers and the unparalleled beauty of the Yukon.
Here is DG Ramesh at the Edmonton District Conference last May.
This month, Rotary shines a spotlight on Maternal and Child Health—a cornerstone of building stronger, healthier communities. Rotary supports programs that ensure mothers and children everywhere can access essential medical services and support to thrive.
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Material Suggestions and Greeter Messages Always Needed!
Please feel free to forward an approx. 150 - 200 word message or any material suggestions in an e-mail, or in a Word document, along with a JPeg picture or two, to E-Club Administration Chair, Kitty Bucsko.
We'd love to hear from you!
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Just so you're aware -
Our Club's Ongoing Projects -
We provide ongoing support for the following projects:
And we're doing great!
Ask for more information if you'd like to be involved!
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Real-time meetings
Each 3rd Thursday of the month is our Fellowship Assembly, and we often invite interesting speakers or Rotary Leaders for this entertaining, educational fun event. Plan to join us.
The time is 9:00 a.m. (Mountain Time) in lieu of the weekly Coffee Chat except for July and August when there are no FA’s. Here is the zoom link:
Everyone is welcome to attend and we encourage your participation.
Please click our Event Calendar for details and access Link.
For further inquiries or suggestions please contact: info@rotaryeclubcanada.ca
All our videos can be viewed on our YouTube channel.
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How do you support our club?
- The Paypal button on our ClubRunner Home Page
- The donation button on the attendance form, or
- Make an Interac transfer to rotaryeclubcanada1@gmail.com
- Send a cheque to:
The Rotary E-Club of Canada One
10430 135 Street NW
Edmonton, AB
Canada T5N 2C6
(780) 267 4547
Environment
And what can heat do to our roadways?
Humour
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New members' corner
What’s special about Rotary members?
Rotary members bring together diverse skills, backgrounds, and passions to tackle local and global challenges.
Rotary members don’t just talk about making the world a better place—they take action through projects that improve health, education, and economic opportunities.
With fellowship and integrity at their core, Rotary members form a powerful network of changemakers who share a common purpose: to make a lasting difference.
With fellowship and integrity at their core, Rotary members form a powerful network of changemakers who share a common purpose: to make a lasting difference.
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End Polio Now
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Rotary minute
⏱️ Rotary Minute – A Hidden Gem ⏱️
Did you know that Rotary isn’t just about local service—it’s a global network of 1.4 million changemakers in over 200 countries and territories?
When you join Rotary, you tap into a community that shares ideas, supports each other, and takes action to solve real-world problems. From eradicating polio to mentoring future leaders, Rotary empowers you to be part of something truly fantastic—transforming lives, near and far.
Beyond the projects and service, Rotary offers a unique opportunity to build lifelong friendships and connections with people who share your passion for making a difference.
Every club meeting, service project, or international event is a chance to grow, learn, and be inspired by others who believe that together, we can do so much more.
Food for thought
Time Zones
Iceland is in the Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) time zone year-round, which is: UTC +0
Key points:
• Iceland does not observe Daylight Saving Time, so its time stays the same all year.
• This means that in the summer, Iceland is on the same time as the UK (which switches to British Summer Time, or UTC+1), but one hour behind most of mainland Europe.
• In winter, it is on the same time as the UK (when the UK reverts to GMT), and still one hour behind Central Europe.
Coming west from GMT (UTC+0), the next time zone is: UTC -1
This time zone is one hour behind GMT.
Key facts about UTC−1:
• Cape Verde Time (CVT) is the main time zone in this region.
• Cape Verde, an island country off the northwest coast of Africa, is the most notable place that uses UTC−1 year-round.
• It is less commonly used globally compared to other time zones.
Geographic context:
If you move further west past UTC−1, you get to:
• UTC−2, used by some parts of Greenland and Atlantic islands
• Then UTC−3, used by parts of Brazil and Argentina
So in sequence going west:
GMT (UTC+0) → UTC−1 (Cape Verde) → UTC−2 → UTC−3, etc.
GMT (UTC+0) → UTC−1 (Cape Verde) → UTC−2 → UTC−3, etc.
UTC−1 and UTC−2 are largely oceanic zones.
Here’s a breakdown of how much land there is in those time zones:
🌍 UTC−1 (Very little land)
• Main landmass:
o Cape Verde (an island nation, off the coast of West Africa)
• Total land in UTC−1:
o Extremely limited — just the islands of Cape Verde and some uninhabited or sparsely inhabited Atlantic islets
o ≈ 4,000 km² of land (mostly Cape Verde’s territory)
• Rest of the zone:
o Mostly Atlantic Ocean
🌍 UTC−2 (Also mostly ocean, with a few exceptions)
• Land areas in this zone include:
🌍 UTC−1 (Very little land)
• Main landmass:
o Cape Verde (an island nation, off the coast of West Africa)
• Total land in UTC−1:
o Extremely limited — just the islands of Cape Verde and some uninhabited or sparsely inhabited Atlantic islets
o ≈ 4,000 km² of land (mostly Cape Verde’s territory)
• Rest of the zone:
o Mostly Atlantic Ocean
🌍 UTC−2 (Also mostly ocean, with a few exceptions)
• Land areas in this zone include:
o Fernando de Noronha (a small archipelago off Brazil, used for scientific and tourist purposes)
o South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (a UK overseas territory, near Antarctica – no permanent residents)
o Part of eastern Greenland occasionally observes UTC−2 for logistical purposes (rare)
• Total land in UTC−2:
o Very minimal land again — perhaps a few thousand square kilometres combined
• Rest of the zone:
o Almost entirely open ocean (South and North Atlantic)
🌍 In addition – UTC-3
South America (most significant)
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Uruguay
• Paraguay
• Chile (eastern part, but only during standard time)
• French Guiana (an overseas department of France)
Other Areas
• Greenland (the southern part)
• Saint Pierre and Miquelon (a French territory near Newfoundland, Canada)
🌍 Land-to-Water Ratio in UTC−3
This time zone is heavily land-based, especially compared to UTC−1 and −2. While parts of the Atlantic Ocean are still included, the dominant geography is land.
Estimated:
• 60–70% land
• 30–40% water (Atlantic Ocean coverage)
Rotary Jukebox
For a small donation, your favorite musician will be featured on one of our next e-meetings for everyone to enjoy.
Every week we'll have a draw and the lucky person will see their song featured!
The Four-way Test
To close the meeting, Rotarian Angel recites the Four-Way Test of the things that Rotarians think, say, or do.
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Invite friends to Like our page and enjoy our posts. Also, please take the time to Share our posts on your Facebook Page.
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Please support our club!
Donate For the Meeting You Have Attended.
Please consider making a small donation in lieu of a meal
to help us help those in need.
As you have not had to buy lunch or travel to attend this program, please consider a donation of a minimum of $10.00 in appreciation for the experience you have enjoyed.
We thank you very much!
Program Donations
Our E-Club is a dynamic club comprised of ordinary working and retired people who acknowledge that Rotarians are people who are generous with their time and their resources.
Our club and the program you have just enjoyed, either as a member or a visitor, is funded only by donations.
We are developing ideas for fundraising with our members who are scattered across Canada, USA, Central America, and Europe, but we do need your help.
As you have not had to buy lunch or travel to attend this program, please make a donation of a minimum of $10.00, considering you're saving in time and cost in appreciation for the experience you have enjoyed.
Interested in providing Rotary Service? Unable to attend terra club meetings?
Contact our membership chair for information or
or HERE to learn about Associate Membership
