Churchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy


Main Page Our Cause Patrons & Directors Award for Excellence Churchill Collection at Trinity College Churchill Society Dinner Educational Programme Educational Links Luncheon Series Churchilliad Online Churchill Book Discussion Group Digital Exhibits Event Archives Membership Donations Volunteer Contact Us 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 Churchill Debate at Hart House Elizabeth May, O.C. Leader, Green Party of Canada Climate change and the environment Hart House 7 Hart House Circle University of Toronto March 5, 2008Churchill Debate (2008).doc $65 Dinner & Debate Package Reception (5:30 p.m.), Dinner with wine (6:00 p.m.) Reserved seating in front two rows at debate (7:30 p.m.) Post-debate reception in the Bickersteth Room. RSVP: Churchill Society 416-410-3377 Paying by VISA? Click here for a flyer to fax to 416-544-8082 PREVIOUS DEBATES Andrew Coyne National Affairs Columnist, The National Post Resolution: "The Government of Canada should be absolutely bound by the Charter." 23 April 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