Churchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy


Churchill Society Home Become a member Contact E-Mail Updates "THE GOVERNMENT IS THE SERVANT OF THE PEOPLE AND NOT ITS MASTER" Winston Churchill Oslo 1948	Churchill Debate at Hart House Our annual sponsorship of a formal student debate at Hart House in the University of Toronto is a long-standing component of the Churchill's Society's educational programme. Our aim is to advance the cause of parliamentary democracy by encouraging and facilitating debate about issues of importance and relevance to Canada's democracy. Since 1924 Hart House Formal Debates have been the premier forum of debate and discussion at the University of Toronto. The Debates are led off by some of the best student debaters in the world and also provide opportunity for all in attendance to express their views. The debates conclude with a prominent guest speaker, often newsmakers, journalists, or academics, providing their perspective on the resolution. Another reason for the Churchill Society's sponsorship stems from the Canadian Parliamentary Debating style used in the debate. There is a Prime Minister and a Minister of the Crown on one side and a Leader of the Opposition and Member of the Opposition the other. There is a Speaker, Sergeant-at-Arms, and a Clerk. Points of Order, Personal Privilege and heckling are allowed. Hart House - modeled in so many ways on the best of British education - is probably the premier venue for this type of debate in North America. For decades, the University of Toronto has dominated debate competition in Canada and has been a perennial contender in U.S. and international tournament. Hart House debaters are, quite simply, among the best in the world, sometimes even humbling their Oxford models in direct competition. Debating at Hart House is, therefore, a success story: the transplant and flowering of a mother-country tradition in the fertile ground of a young nation. John Duffy "Debates: Academy and Agora" A Strange Elation - Hart House: The First Eighty Years 2009 Churchill Debate at Hart House NEW DATE Thursday, April 2, 2009 "RESOLVED: The Governor General should not have prorogued Parliament" Rt. Hon. Edward Schreyer, PC, CC, CMM, OM, CD Former Governor General, Premier of Manitoba, and MP National Representative for Habitat for Humanity Honorary Director of the Sierra Legal Defence Fund The Churchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy is proud to sponsor the annual Churchill Debate at Hart House in conjunction with the Hart House Debates Committee at the University of Toronto. Edward Schreyer will offer his perspective on this timely subject after members of the Hart House Debating Club debate the issue in Canadian Parliamentary style format. Churchill Debate at Hart Housie Thursday, April 2, 2009 Reception: 5:30 p.m. Dinner: 6:00 p.m. Debate: 7:30 p.m. Dinner & Debate Package: $65.00 We accept cheques or VISA. Download ticket order form in PDF Download ticket order form in MS Word Methods of Payment FAX ticket order form with VISA info to 416-544-8082 E-mail ticket order form with VISA info to RSVP@churchillsociety.org Mail ticket order form with cheque or VISA info to Churchill Society 3050 Yonge St., Suite 206F Toronto ON M4N 2K4 Reservation and payment must be received by noon March 25, 2009 The debate at 7:30 is free of charge and open to the pubic Churchill Debate at Hart House PREVIOUS DEBATES Elizabeth May, O.C. Leader, Green Party of Canada Resolution: "Global warming is a hoax by the ruling class" March 5, 2008 Andrew Coyne National Affairs Columnist, The National Post Resolution: "The Government of Canada should be absolutely bound by the Charter." April 23, 2007 Professor Darlene Johnston Faculty of Law, University of Toronto Resolution: "This House Believes in Native Self-Government" April 28, 2006 The Right Honourable John N. Turner, P.C., C.C., Q.C. 17th Prime Minister of Canada Head of Mission, Canadian Observers Mission to Ukraine Churchill Society Award for Excellence in the Cause of Parliamentary Democracy Recipient (1996) Resolution: “This House Would Export Canadian Values” March 30, 2005 Professor Emeritus Peter H. Russell, O.C. Chairman, Churchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy Judicial Politics Expert Resolution: "This House believes all parties should appoint the Supreme Court" April 7, 2004 Jack Layton Leader, New Democratic Party of Canada Resolution: “This House believes that the Canadian left should support war on Iraq” March 19, 2003 Jeffrey Simpson, O.C. Columnist, The Globe and Mail Author, "The Friendly Dictatorship" Resolution: “This House supports Canada’s Elected Dictatorship" April 10, 2002 The Right Honourable Joe Clark, P.C., C.C., M.P. Leader, Progressive Conservative Party of Canada 16th Prime Minister of Canada Resolution: "This House believes that government accountability is a thing of the past" March 31, 2001
	Hart House Debating Club website Printable map showing location of Hart House