Time: Sunday, October 29th, 2023. 

Registration for competitors and judges will take place in the Atrium from 12:00-12:15. 

A briefing for judges will take place from 12:15-1:00.

Competitors will gather in the cafeteria at 12:30 SHARP for a quick briefing and an announcement of the first debate resolution and speaking positions. Students will receive 20 minutes of preparation time prior to each round of debate. Please be early so that students have the appropriate amount of time to prepare. Awards will be distributed around 5:35 pm.

Location: St. Mary’s Academy, 550 Wellington Crescent, R3M 0C1
Parking: Please feel free to park in any available space in the parking lot and enter the school through the Alumnae Hall doors.
Resolution: This will be an impromptu debate tournament.

There will be 3 rounds with three different resolutions and random pairings for each round. Prepared cases, casebooks, and squirrelling are not permitted at this tournament. Squirrelling occurs when the definition of the terms changes the intention of the motion in a significant manner.

Each debater has 5 minutes to speak. There is no minimum time. Heckling is not allowed. Points of information are allowed after 30 seconds, and up until 4:30 in the 5 minute speech. A guide to BP debate style can be found on the MSDA website: BP Debate Rules

Students may qualify for the 2023 Canadian British Parliamentary Asper Cup Debate National Championship taking place from November 17 to 19 at Balmoral Hall, Gray Academy & St. John's-Ravenscourt School

Registration Requirements
There is no novice category in this tournament. Schools may send a maximum of 3 teams. Schools must bring at least one judge per 2-person team. Senior high students, grades 11 to 12, who are experienced debaters, may judge. Additional judges are always appreciated.

Only coaches are permitted to register teams for this tournament. Please do so here: Registration Form.

Please also ensure that judges register themselves using the Judge Registration Form.

If you should have any questions, contact Ms. Paula Fleury, SMA Debate Coordinator, pfleury@smamb.ca.

Paula Fleury                                    Taylor Martin                                              Rob McCaffrey

SMA Debate Coordinator               Junior Debate Coach                                   Senior Debate Coach