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46-411: The National Club was founded by Ontario Letters Patent on July 6, 1874. There were 24 members in the original roster. The National Club was created to provide a home and Toronto focus for Canada First , a nationalist movement founded in 1868 by George Denison , Henry Morgan, Charles Mair , William Foster and Robert Grant Haliburton. Canada First sought to “promote a sense of national purpose and to lay

92-581: A royal decree made under the royal prerogative and are treated as statute law. Letters patent do not require the consent of parliament . In some Commonwealth realms, such as Canada and New Zealand ( Letters Patent, 1947 in Canada and Letters Patent 1983 in New Zealand), letters patent serve as formal legal instruments that officially grant powers to the governor general . An important function of Letters Patent in many Commonwealth Realms

138-683: A barber shop and cloak room. The entrance hall, main dining room, and servery were on the main floor. The second floor held the library, magazine room, and two private dining rooms. The third floor had a billiards room and two card rooms. The fourth and fifth floors consisted of bedrooms for members, though the kitchen occupied half of the fifth floor. By November 1913, membership was around 800, with around 500 resident members. The club's initiation fee had been set in December 1912 at $ 300 (approximately $ 8,000 in 2023) and annual fees for resident members were $ 50 (approximately $ 1,300 in 2023). Seven members of

184-444: A membership free of charge, however, these memberships were revoked when the war ended. By the summer of 1945, membership was 419, with 309 resident members. To increase membership, that year the club created a new "junior member" category for gentlemen aged 21 to 29, with an amortised initiation fee and annual dues of $ 33 ($ 570 in 2023). Also that year, the initiation fee for regular members was reduced to $ 200 ($ 3,450 in 2023). During

230-479: A single alphabet letter ( littera ). Letters patent are a form of open or public proclamation and a vestigial exercise of extra-parliamentary power by a monarch or president. They can thus be contrasted with the Act of Parliament , which is in effect a written order by Parliament involving assent by the monarch in conjunction with its members. No explicit government approval is contained within letters patent, only

276-489: A total estimated construction cost of $ 90,000 was raised by subscription among National Club members to purchase a lot and build a new clubhouse at 303 Bay Street. On September 12, 1906, the cornerstone was laid and on December 17, 1907, the National Club's new premises opened. The following day, The Globe newspaper described the new premises designed by noted Toronto architect S. George Curry as “Architecturally...

322-525: A triumph.” The building is protected under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act since March 17, 1976, and also enjoys a heritage easement agreement since July 16, 1984. It was designed by S.G. Curry, of the Sproatt & Rolph architectural firm. The firm of Sproatt & Rolph was responsible for designing a number of other Toronto landmarks, including Hart House (University of Toronto) ,

368-415: A type of legal instrument in the form of a published written order issued by a monarch , president or other head of state, generally granting an office, right, monopoly , title or status to a person or corporation . Letters patent can be used for the creation of corporations , government offices, to grant city status or coats of arms . Letters patent are issued for the appointment of representatives of

414-639: A variety of other purposes. They function dually as public records and personal certificates. In the United States, the forgery of letters patent granted by the President is a crime subject to fine, imprisonment up to ten years or both ( 18 U.S.C.   § 497 ). Without letters patent, a person is unable to assume an appointed office. Such an issue prompted the Marbury v. Madison suit, where William Marbury and three others petitioned

460-511: Is a double merit attached to being a Grit in Toronto. There are places in which it is as natural to be a Grit as to breathe the air of heaven. Of such I know many. But of such Toronto is not one. It must be recognised that the atmosphere of Toronto has never been conducive to Gritism." The Ontario Club remained at its first location until 31 December 1910. After the lease expired, in January 1911

506-671: Is essential that the written grant should be in the form of a public document so other inventors can consult it both to avoid infringement (while the patent remains in force) and to understand how to put it into practical use (once the patent rights expire). In the Holy Roman Empire , Austrian Empire , and Austria-Hungary , imperial patent was also the highest form of generally binding legal regulations, e.g. Patent of Toleration , Serfdom Patent , etc. The opposite of letters patent are letters close ( Latin : litterae clausae ), which are personal in nature and sealed so that only

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552-564: Is to act as the order from the Monarch authorising the establishment and powers of a Royal Commission or a Special Commission of Inquiry. This can be seen in jurisdictions such as Australia where Letters Patent are frequently issued in relation to new and ongoing Royal Commissions . The primary source of letters patent in the United States are intellectual property patents and land patents , though letters patent are issued for

598-647: The United States Supreme Court to order James Madison to deliver their letters for appointments made under the previous administration. United States letters patent generally do not fit a specific form, except for the eschatocol , or formal ending: GIVEN under my hand, in [city] the [date] in the year of our Lord [year] and of the Independence of the United States the [years since July 4, 1776]. By [signature of public official issuing letter] Ontario Club The Ontario Club

644-716: The Canada Life Building, the Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Bishop Strachan School, Eaton's College Street store, and the Canada Permanent Trust building across the street from the National Club. The National Club is one of the few remaining intact buildings on Bay Street from this period. The National Club maintains its historic clubhouse at 303 Bay Street, composed of three large principal dining rooms, eleven private meeting rooms and three lounges. A new rooftop patio and enclosure

690-581: The Conservative Party of Canada. In response to this situation, a group of Liberal supporters decided to form a gentlemen's club to provide a social home for party members in Toronto, and to enhance the party's status in the city. The founders of the club were Michael John Haney (1856–1927), James Houston Spence (1867–1939), George Tower Ferguson (1856–1932), Gabriel Thomas Somers (1867–1926), and Dr Thomas Franklin McMahon (1852–1925). In late 1908,

736-582: The Crown , such as governors and governors-general of Commonwealth realms , as well as appointing a Royal Commission . In the United Kingdom , they are also issued for the creation of peers of the realm . A particular form of letters patent has evolved into the modern intellectual property patent (referred to as a utility patent or design patent in United States patent law ) granting exclusive rights in an invention or design. In this case, it

782-476: The Engineers' Club, which had been founded in 1895, made the decision to redevelop its clubhouse at 105 Victoria Street. The new clubhouse would have retail at street level, club quarters on the first three floors, and 40 condominiums above. When the real estate market collapsed in January 1990, the club lost its building and was forced to find a new home. In November 1992, the Engineers' Club decided to merge into

828-551: The National Club, which that year had moved into its new clubhouse a block to the north. This building stood on the current site of the Toronto Stock Exchange Building. On 5 January 1910, the club hosted its first banquet, and Sir Wilfrid Laurier was its guest of honour. At the banquet, Laurier delivered a speech that began, "yet once again it is my privilege to be among the Grits of Toronto, because there

874-588: The Ontario Club were killed in World War I. During the war, all clubs in Toronto stopped serving drinks after 8 pm. In 1925, membership reached an all-time high of 925, with 654 resident members. By 1929, total membership dropped to 845. The club struggled financially during the Great Depression and in 1938 imposed two assessments of $ 50 each. During World War II, any military officer could receive

920-531: The Ontario Club. At the time, the Ontario's membership was around 755, while the Engineers' was 545, creating a total membership of around 1300. Although both clubs had in the 1980s ceased to be gentlemen's clubs, both still had less than 50 female members. The Star commented that, "the reason there isn't a higher proportion of female members is that luncheon clubs aren't recruiting many members of either sex these days. Times are tough, and habits have changed." At

966-589: The Toronto church and cathedral stained glass windows in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The National Club is connected to the Toronto PATH system of concourses and tunnels through an unmarked door leading to the lower level of the Scotia Plaza . The National Club is affiliated with approximately 250 other private clubs in Canada and around the world, providing its members with reciprocal dining and accommodation privileges. Members must be men or women over

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1012-474: The age of 21 years and be of good character, and be reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors. The National Club has approximately 500 resident members, in addition to members in senior, overseas and other categories. The National Club was one of the earliest Toronto private city clubs to extend full membership to women in 1992. The membership of the former Ontario Club joined the National Club in 2010 after

1058-530: The club moved into its new quarters. The first banquet at the new clubhouse took place in November 1913, and again Sir Wilfrid Laurier attended as the guest of honour. The renovations on the bank were designed by Sproatt & Rolph . While the exterior walls of the building were kept, the structure was otherwise gutted and rebuilt with new columns and floor beams. The basement of the club held

1104-544: The club moved into the Lumsden Building on Yonge Street. In 1910, Larkin, the chairman of the club's New Quarters Committee, began negotiating with the Standard Bank of Canada to acquire its head office building at 16 Wellington Street. The building had been erected in 1884 and was designed by David Brash Dick. In 1911 the club arranged a deal with the bank to acquire the building for $ 120,000. To complete

1150-818: The construction of the Commerce Court complex. The sale included an agreement for the club to lease the top floor of the south building in the group. In May 1969, the club vacated its historic quarters and moved temporarily into the 19th and 20th floors of the Royal York Hotel . On Tuesday, 9 May 1972, Premier Bill Davis opened the new quarters in Commerce Court South. The new clubhouse featured Louis XVI, Chippendale, Hepplewhite, and Queen Anne armchairs, Sheraton buffets, Persian carpets, 18th-century pewter chandeliers, silk draperies, Botticino marble walls, and 11-foot high beamed ceilings. At

1196-650: The contents back to the gentry in the shires through normal conversation and social intercourse. Today, for example, it is a convention for the British prime minister to announce that they have left a document they wish to enter the public domain "in the library of the House of Commons ", where it may be freely perused by all members of parliament . Letters patent are so named from the Latin verb patī , patior , to lie open, exposed, accessible. The originator's seal

1242-690: The cosmetic and mechanical aspects of the facilities. In 2014 the National Club received the "Club of the Year Award" from the Canadian Society of Club Managers. The National Club has a significant collection of Canadian art and a wine cellar with approximately 40,000 bottles. Stained glass windows in the Main Dining Room depicting the arms of Canada and the provinces were created by the Toronto company of Pringle & London, which worked with Tiffany & Co. and also installed many of

1288-487: The entrance fee was increased to $ 400 ($ 4,500 in 2023) and annual dues increased to $ 140 ($ 1,500 in 2023). In 1959, three private dining rooms were added to the fifth floor, which reduced the total number of bedrooms to five. That year, total membership was 749, with 556 resident members. In 1968, the club decided to sell its building for $ 1.5 million to the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce to allow for

1334-484: The first board were Haney, Somers, Ferguson, and McMahon from the founders group, as well as James Herbert Denton, Peter Charles Larkin , Maj Charles Alexander Moss, Thomas Saunders Hobbs, and James Frederick Martin Stewart. During the first meeting, a debate arose about the issue of temperance. William Raney , who led the group in favour of temperance, argued that the club should not create a possible policy conflict with

1380-421: The five founders created a list of 300 individuals they would approach to become members, and by January 1909 there were 312 applications to join the club. Original members of the club paid a $ 25 initiation fee, $ 10 of which was paid upon application, and the balance paid when the club incorporated. The club met for the first time on 20 January 1909 to choose a name and elect a provisional board. Directors elected to

1426-512: The intellectual foundations for Canadian nationality.” On March 30, 1875, the National Club moved into rented premises on the west side of Bay Street, immediately south of the building that housed the original Toronto Stock Exchange . The Club's first president was Dr. Goldwin Smith , a prominent historian and journalist, and a supporter of the Canada First movement. His First Vice President

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1472-423: The late 1940s, the fifth floor was insulated, and roofing, painting, plumbing, and electrical improvements were undertaken. In 1954, air conditioning was installed in the dining room, the billiard and card rooms were relocated, and the cocktail lounge was redecorated. At the same time, much of the electrical system and plumbing were replaced. Consequently, an assessment of $ 100 was imposed on resident members. In 1955,

1518-580: The lease expired on its own clubhouse in Commerce Court . The National Club has had on its roster a number of noted Canadians, including many national and provincial politicians. Sir Wilfrid Laurier was an early member and sat for a portrait after opening the current clubhouse in 1907. Others include: In 1996, the National Club was granted its own arms and flag by the Canadian Heraldic Authority . Letters Patent Letters patent ( plural form for singular and plural ) are

1564-463: The opening, Davis and John Robarts were given honorary memberships. In 1978, the club created a new membership category called "diplomatic," and was the first club in Toronto to have such a class. In January of that year, it admitted 16 new members to that category, all from foreign countries. Among them was Rita de Arismendi, the consul general of Venezuela. In 1985, the club voted to amend its bylaws to allow women to become full members. In 1989,

1610-471: The party. Haney, who was chairman of the meeting, was also in favour of a dry club. He said, "I'm not a temperance crank, but I believe the club will be better off without liquor." Attendees voted 50-9 in favour of asking for liquor privileges in their application to incorporate. The club was granted a charter on 8 February 1909, and held its first board meeting on 26 March of that year. At that meeting, members elected an official board. Further directors added to

1656-413: The present day, with most of those to 1625 having been published. In the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms , letters patent are royal proclamations granting an office, right, title, or status to a person (and sometimes in regard to corporations and cities). Letters patent take the form of an open letter from the monarch to a subject, although this is a legal fiction and they are in fact

1702-613: The property to the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce , from 1972 to 2007, it occupied the top floor of Commerce Court South . In 2011, the Ontario Club merged into the National Club . The origins of the Ontario Club lie in the 1908 Canadian federal election . In that election, the Liberal Party of Canada won 133 seats, while the opposition parties won 88. However, all seats in Toronto went to members of

1748-417: The provisional board were Lloyd Harris , Leighton McCarthy , J. W. Curry, Dr John Herbert McConnell, John Bain, and Joseph Fisher Eby. Edward Clarkson was elected auditor. His firm, Clarkson Gordon & Co , would remain the club's auditors for decades. By November, the club had 433 resident and 130 non-resident members. In the late summer of 1909, the club moved into the former Bay Street clubhouse of

1794-399: The purchase, the club paid $ 20,000 in cash and received a $ 100,000 mortgage from Manulife . Once the sale was finalised, work began to raise money for the conversion of the building into a clubhouse. Costs for the renovations were estimated at $ 80,000, therefore, the club issued $ 75,000 in 20-year five per cent gold bonds maturing in 1931. Work was completed in the summer of 1912, at which time

1840-402: The recipient can read their contents. Letters patent are thus comparable to other kinds of open letter in that their audience is wide. It is not clear how the contents of letters patent became widely published before collection by the addressee, for example whether they were left after sealing by the king for inspection during a certain period by courtiers in a royal palace, who would disseminate

1886-400: The seal or signature of the monarch. Parliament today tolerates only a very narrow exercise of the royal prerogative by issuance of letters patent, and such documents are issued with prior informal government approval, or indeed are now generated by government itself with the monarch's seal affixed as a mere formality. In their original form they were simply written instructions or orders from

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1932-669: The sovereign, whose order was law, which were made public to reinforce their effect. For the sake of good governance, it is of little use if the sovereign appoints a person to a position of authority but does not at the same time inform those over whom such authority is to be exercised of the validity of the appointment. According to the United Kingdom Ministry of Justice , there are 92 different types of letters patent. The Patent Rolls are made up of office copies of English (and later United Kingdom) royal letters patent, which run in an almost unbroken series from 1201 to

1978-481: Was William Pearce Howland , the second Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. Other founders included the Hon. Edward Blake , Ontario's first premier, and Sir Oliver Mowat , Ontario's second premier. By the 1880s, the Canada First movement virtually disappeared, and the National Club had established itself as a general business and social club for Toronto's business and political leaders of all affiliations. In 1903, $ 50,000 of

2024-679: Was a private club in Toronto , Ontario that existed from 1909 to 2010. The club was founded as a gentlemen's club , but in 1978 became mixed-sex. The Ontario was organised as a home for members of the Liberal Party of Canada , and as such, was the counterpart to the Albany Club , which was for members of the Conservative Party of Canada . From 1912 to 1969, the Ontario Club had a clubhouse on Wellington Street. After it sold

2070-412: Was attached pendent from the document, so that it did not have to be broken in order for the document to be read. They are called "letters" (plural) from their Latin name litterae patentes , used by medieval and later scribes when the documents were written in Latin. This loanword preserves the collective plural "letters" ( litterae ) that the Latin language uses to denote a message as opposed to

2116-507: Was opened in early 2014. A major renovation was undertaken in 2017-18 that created a new bistro-style wine bar and open kitchen dining facility on the front of the 4th floor of the Club called the "1874 Bar & Grill". The National Club has six rooms of hotel-style accommodations for visiting members and guests. The red brick, four-storey Georgian building has undergone several periods of extensive internal renovation in its history to maintain both

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