Senior Common Room

The Senior Common Room (“SCR”) is a monthly drop-in coffee and discussion hour on Zoom.
Its objectives are fellowship and the exchange of ideas with fellow Probus members.
Every Probus member is welcome to participate on a regular, or an occasional basis.

To receive an invitation evry month, please register your interest with the Convenor. He will add you to the SCR’s email roster.

Each month a topic of interest is selected by the Convenor and his small committee of “Primers”. The selected topic is emailed in advance to all roster members, together with an invitation to participate and a link to join that month’s Zoom meeting at the scheduled time.

Members are not expected to research the topic, nor to demonstrate any special expertise in their remarks. The format is neither a lecture nor a debate. It is simply an informal discussion which enables the sharing of participants’ thoughts, ideas, viewpoints, hopes, and concerns about the topic.

The Convenor or one of the Primers may initiate each month’s discussion with a short introduction. Everyone participating then is encouraged to contribute their thoughts. It is the expression of differing perspectives which makes the group’s discussions interesting. Differing perspectives are welcome, and invariably they are expressed and received with respect and sensitivity.remarks. The format is neither a lecture nor a debate. It is simply an informal discussion which enables the sharing of participants’ thoughts, ideas, viewpoints, hopes, and concerns about the topic.

“Political correctness” is unnecessary. Speakers openly share their thoughts, explain, or clarify, but don’t try to persuade. Listeners seek to understand, ask questions, and hopefully gain new insights. Above all, everyone enjoys a stimulating hour of discussion, gets to know other members, and enjoys the congenial company.

Paul Moore
SCR Convener

April 24, 2026

Thirteen members of our Probus club met in the Senior Common Room (SCR) on Zoom,at 10 am on Friday, April 24 over coffee, to discuss:
"Our Canadian democracy --the good, the bad, and the ugly."

The general consensus was that we had it pretty good in Canada, especially when compared to elsewhere in the world.

Certainly, the view was not:
"If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

We discussed lots of ways it could be made more effective.

Although we did not reach a consensus on changes that should be made, we discussed:
-the role of elections,
-first-past-the-post
-proportional representation,
-advantages of having minority parties (but not too many)
-direction from the PMO, or caucus, or members of parliament in debates
-the role and importance of the civil service in executing and overseeing implementation of policies and legislative directions
-frequency of elections,
-methods for getting the rascals out
-Royal commissions, consultative committees,
-selection of rulers by lot (as in ancient Athens),
-limits on spending by special interest organization,
-the role of free speach,
-use and/or abuse of the not-with-standing clause, and its original purpose
-importance of education about civic duties,
-extending the vote to everyone regardless of age,
-mandatory voting (like in Australia)

----and almost every thing else relevent to the well functioning of a viable democracy.

It was a free flowing and interesting exchange of views.

Paul Moore,
SCR Convenor

November 28, 2025

The SCR met on Friday, November 28, 2025 for an exciting discussion of current events, including the just announced Federal-Alberta Memorandum of Understanding on an inter-provincial oil pipeline to the BC coast, jet fighter purchases, and the pending Quebec election, all in the context of implications for Canadian sovereignty and the future of Canada.

We heard an interesting variety of predictions and possible outcomes for our country, and the prospects for peace, order and good government.

Fun and coffee for one hour as usual.

Paul Moore,
SCR Convenor

May 30 2025

Gentlemen,

Here is a report for our webpage or newsletter about our SCR Session on Zoom on Friday May 30,2025.

**Eleven of us met for coffee and conversation on the topic:

“What do you rely on for accurate information and news in today’s climate of false news, opinion pieces masquerading as journalism etc.: the problem and what should we do about it?”

The hour long discussion was informative, lively, respectful, and full of ideas and possible solutions—including dangers and pitfalls in an absence of regulations and/or the wrong kind of controls.

It was another enjoyable, informative, and friendly session of sharing views in our Senior Common Room.**

Paul Moore
Convenor