Novice Debate Competition Fundraiser

The Charles-Bruneau Cup
A Novice Debate Competition Fundraiser for Youth Battling Cancer

Overview: 

Lower Canada College invites you to participate in a Canadian Parliamentary style debate competition for novices, hosted as a fundraising effort in support of the Charles-Bruneau Foundation - a Quebec based organization dedicated to funding research and care for children battling cancer.

Debaters will receive feedback from senior, nationally recognized judges from across the Montreal debate circuit. 

The tournament will take place in-person at Lower Canada College (4090 Av. Royal) on May 31st, 2025. 

Registration:

Registration will cost $20 per participant, though we always encourage more. All funds will go directly to the Charles-Bruneau Foundation. Please bring cash on the day of the competition, and a donation box will be present at the registration table.

Eligibility & Junior Status:

This competition will be open to grades 7-11, and limited to novice debaters (a maximum attendance of no more than four competitions). To ensure fairness, round one will be paired by division (junior vs. senior), and the rest will be power bracketed. Though integrated with the senior division, there will be a separate junior ranking in the final standings.

Junior status pertains to students in grades 7-8. Please confirm your junior status ahead of time in order to bracket round one accordingly.  

Format:

This Canadian Parliamentary style competition will follow slightly modified Canadian National Debate Format speaking times of 7-7-7-7-3-3.

**Never heard of Canadian Parliamentary, or CNDF formatting?
Click here to find out more: https://osdu.org/wp-content//National-Debate-Format-Rules.pdf

Motion:

THBT “cancel culture” does more harm than good.

Rounds one and two will be prepped motions; please prepare proposition and opposition cases ahead of time. 

** Rounds three and four will be impromptu. Note that computer / internet access will be strictly prohibited (please reach out if you require accommodations. Contacts are listed at the end of this document). 

Schedule:

                             
Food:

To minimize registration fees, we kindly ask participants to supply their own peanut-free lunches. Some snacks will be made available throughout the day. 

Equity:

We strive to ensure a welcoming and fair environment for all. Should any equity violations arise (e.g. AI or internet usage, foul language), we strongly encourage you to voice your concerns using the following link to an anonymous form: https://forms.gle/TtsTEezbXukSRfaU9 

Contact Information:

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, concerns, or accommodations. We look forward to seeing you at the competition!

Sincerely,

Naomi Gardner
Tournament Director
ngardner@wearelcc.ca 

Chris George
President - Canadian Student Debating Federation
Lower Canada College Debate Coach / Math Teacher
cgeorge@lcc.ca