Celebrating The National Club – home to Canada’s leaders since 1874

As we look ahead to our 150th anniversary in 2024, we are proud to celebrate the achievement of our members. If you have any questions or comments about the Club, or would like to be featured in a National Club member profile, please feel free to write to [email protected].

Stephen Lautens

Stephen Lautens is President of TRU Precious Metals Corp. and has been a member of the National Club since 2010. He is also a lawyer, writer, Lord of the Manor of Prior’s Hall, and founder of a Canadian charity. You can find Stephen on Twitter at @stephenlautens.?

Who or what inspired you to become a member of the National Club?

I was president of The Ontario Club when its membership merged with The National Club in 2010.?We chose the National Club because it has a spectacular clubhouse and was the most welcoming to our members.

What surprised you the most about the National Club, after you joined?

How easily I became part of Club life and how important the Club became to my personal and professional life.

If you could bring a favourite person (including historical persons, living or dead) to one event at the National Club, who and which event would it be?

I’d bring Sir Wilfrid Laurier, who posed for his portrait that hangs in the Club’s main dining room, to the family Christmas brunch. I think he’d like to see what has changed (and what is still the familiar) 100 years later.

What did you miss most about the National Club during the Covid lockdowns?

Dropping in for lunch and finding a welcoming table of friends to join.

What is a fun fact that your friends might not know about you?

I’ve written an underappreciated World War II thriller novel.

What is your favourite occupation – if time and money were no object?

British passports used to allow you to list your occupation as “Gentleman”. I think that sounds pretty good.

What is your favourite quote?

“Why do my actions have consequences?" - Homer Simpson

What is your biggest pet peeve?

When a martini glass arrives half full.

Which fictional character do you identify with the most??

In my youth, James Bond. Now, more Rumpole of the Bailey.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

Getting in a taxi dressed in formal wear for a fancy dinner in London, England, and unprompted the hotel doorman telling the driver my destination was Buckingham Palace. It wasn’t, but I appreciated him assuming it was.

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