Are Billionaires Dangerous?

Presented by Hart House Debates Committee

Wednesday, November 10, 2010
FREE

U of T students will open the evening with a free formal debate on the resolution “Be it resolved that billionaires are a menace to society” followed by an address by writer Linda McQuaig, currently a columnist at the Toronto Star, on the themes of her recent book The Trouble with Billionaires. Free refreshments and snacks will be served.

Linda McQuaig has won a national reputation for taking on the Establishment. The National Post called McQuaig, a columnist for the Toronto Star and the author of seven nationally bestselling books on politics and economics, “Canada’s Michael Moore.” Career highlights include winning a National Newspaper Award for a series of Globe and Mail articles which sparked a public inquiry into the activities of political lobbyist Patti Starr, eventually leading to Starr’s imprisonment, and two Maclean’s cover stories probing the questionable business dealings of Conrad Black, who subsequently told the CBC that she should have been “horsewhipped” for the stories. Her latest book, The Trouble with Billionaires, written with tax professor Neil Brooks, shows how the rise of an exceptionally wealthy new elite has
far-reaching negative consequences for society.

The Hart House Debates Committee provides opportunities for debate and dialogue on the important issues of the day, through major events like formal debates, public lectures, community service projects, tournaments, and the World University Debating Championship. Past topics include the limits of free speech in a pluralistic, democratic society, sharia law in Ontario, and debates among political candidates at the mayoral, provincial and federal level.

Past speakers include author Christopher Hitchens, Elizabeth May, Israeli Ambassador Alan Baker, Former Prime Minister John Turner, and Nobel Laureate Professor John Polanyi.

For further inquiries please contact:
Email: hhdebatescommittee@gmail.com
Phone: Program Coordinator Jenifer Newcombe (416) 946-8391 or
Communications Director Semra Eylul Sevi (416) 799-3368