Hart House Debating Club

The Hart House Debating Club provides a space for U of T students to hone their speaking skills and explore new perspectives, attitudes, and ideas. It aims to help students develop the tools necessary to express themselves, as well as the confidence to both defend and question their beliefs. 

There are two drop-in meetings each week, held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and members can attend whichever of the two they prefer. Meetings consist of training seminars, practice debates, and information sessions that can be enjoyed on a drop-in basis or by regular attendance. Like all Hart House clubs, membership is open to all.

Some students compete at regional, national, and international debating competitions to share the skills they've acquired with other students. In the 2020 debate season, Hart House won both the North American Debating Championship and the Canadian National Debating Championship.

In collaboration with the Debates Committee, we organize tournaments and facilitate participation in formal public debates to foster spirited dialogue and free expression. By helping students develop their communication and reasoning skills, we hope to encourage an atmosphere where all voices are heard.

Never debated before? Want to learn more? Check us out on YouTube.