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!

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