The Toronto Debating Society is an active member of the community and we are always happy to help out your organization with your debating and debating-related needs. Are you a school, journalist, chase producer or otherwise interested in debating in your community? Contact us today!

The Toronto Debating Society (TDS) will take our show to your road!

Would you like to improve your impromptu speaking skills? Interested in persuading others to your point of view? Want to have fun in a safe and competitive environment?

Helping others realize the fun and competitive nature of debating is one of our key passions.

We always welcome individual visitors, but sometimes entire groups are interested. If your group is keen to participate in the debating experience, please let us know. Several groups have participated in our workshops – including Phoenix-Toronto Toastmasters,  Goodyear Toastmasters (both Toastmasters clubs), and JCI Toronto (a division of Junior Chamber International) – and enjoyed themselves immensely.

We have a fun and interactive workshop that we would love to share with your group – and if you are in the GTA-area, we will come to you.

Please contact us for more information.

Academia and community organizations

Michelle Warren (President, 2008-09) joined a panel of judges to evaluate a three-day undergraduate debating competition in January 2010 at the Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson University as part of the 2010 JDC Central business competition.

Dave Heppenstall (President 2010-12) moderated debates for the Centre for Inquiry Ontario:

• “Should we be Vegetarian?” Four veteran debaters – Pro: Michael Payton and Peter Phua versus Con: Mitchell Gerskup and Zac Irving - debate on World Environment Day in June 2010 to address the ethics, economics and politics regarding meat consumption.
• Tom Freda (co-founder of Citizens for a Canadian Republic) and Garry Toffoli (co-publisher of Monarchy Canada Publications) debated, “Should Canada Cease to be a Monarchy?” in January 2010.

The society has hosted in-class debating introduction workshops for:

• Grade ten Civics students at Toronto Prep School in September 2011.
• Grade eight students at Riverside Public School in June 2011.

Volunteers have also enacted mini-debate workshops for Toastmasters groups:

• Goodyear Toastmasters in April 2010.
• Phoenix Toastmasters in February and September 2009.

News and media

Dave Heppenstall (President, 2010-12), appeared on Global News Toronto as a debating expert to comment on the role of body language in the Federal Leaders Debate in April 2011.

Heather Bakken (Education Executive, 2009-10) guest starred on Showcase TV in November 2009 as a debate judge for a season six episode of “Kenny vs. Spenny.”

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Inside Toronto December 2011

SNAP Bloor West March 2010

SNAP Bloor West November 2009

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SNAP Bloor West October 2009

The Toronto Observer March 2009

The Toronto Observer April 2008