The 2023 Junior National Debating Championships will be hosted by the Ontario Student Debating Union, and take place from Friday, May 12 to Sunday, May 14. This event will take place in person, and will be held in Toronto, Ontario, with debating to take place at the University of Toronto Schools. For information, please contact Chris George by email.

Update on May 9:
Click here for logistical information related to UTS.
This link will have more detailed info about how to enter UTS and logistically information for your arrival on Friday. Wifi password and other details are located in this link.

Update on May 7:
You are responsible for transportation to and from the airport, and from your accomodation to UTS, and back and forth to the dinner cruise and Jays game. While a number of trips you may find cheapest and/or most convenient by Uber, here is a detailed summary to get around on public transportation.
Click here for info on how to get to and from the Radisson Blu Hotel.
Click here for info on how to get to and from the Chelsea Hotel.
Both links will have info on how to get from UTS to both the Jays game and the dinner cruise.

Prepared Topic: This House would remove both permanent seats and veto power from the UN Security Council.

STATUS QUO – According to international law, the Security Council is the only UN body that can pass legally binding resolutions. While the Security Council has 15 members, 5 of them are permanent – the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Russia and China. The other 10 nations serve two year terms. The “Permanent Five” also has the right to veto resolutions, which means it can unilaterally stop any action.
Resources:
https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/09/17/decolonizing-united-nations-means-abolish-permanent-five-security-council/
https://globalgovernanceforum.org/origins-un-veto-why-it-should-be-abolished/
https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/french-foreign-policy/united-nations/france-and-the-united-nations/france-and-the-united-nations-security-council/why-france-wishes-to-regulate-use-of-the-veto-in-the-united-nations-security/
https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/un-security-council

Schedule:
Thursday, May 11:
You are encouraged to arrive this day to avoid issues with unexpected travel delays and to have some time Friday morning for sightseeing and relaxing. There are no activities planned and you are free to arrive on Friday morning if that suits you better. You are responsible for your transportation from the airport to your accommodation.

Friday, May 12:
You are responsible for your own transportation around Toronto, to and from the venues, the school, the Blue Jays game, the dinner cruise, your hotel and the airport. We will provide all necessary information to help you you get around Toronto.
• arrive at UTS as of 2:00 p.m. PLEASE ARRIVE early to register and we plan to have a treat for you! In order to have time to enjoy this, you must be there in plenty of time.
• 3:00 p.m. – welcome and briefing will start.
• debating will start by 4:15 p.m. The two prepared rounds will end by about 6:15 p.m. Then we rush out to the Blue Jays game. ( for those who purchased tickets – if you did buy tickets and wish to go then you need to buy your own ).
• as a result of the timing and logistics, we will NOT provide dinner on Friday. Those attending the game can eat at the stadium, otherwise make their own plans for dinner.

Saturday, May 13:
• 8:00 a.m. – Breakfast will be served at UTS.
• 9:00 a.m. – pairings and round 3
• 10:30 a.m. – pairings and round 4
• noon – lunch is served at UTS
• 1:00 p.m. – pairings and round 5
• 2:30 p.m. – pairings and round 6
• 4:00 p.m. – anticipated end of day’s debates
• 6:30 p.m. – Board dinner cruise no later than this time, at this location. Click here to see a virtual tour of the boat!
• 10:00 p.m. – Boat returns to dock. You are responsible for getting back to your hotel.

Sunday, May 14:
• 8:00 a.m. – Breakfast will be served at UTS
• 9:00 a.m. – Announcement of Quarter-Finals teams
• 9:30 a.m. – Quarter-Finals
• 10:30 a.m. – Announce Semi-Finals
• 11:00 a.m. – Semi-Finals
• noon – Lunch at UTS
• 1:00 p.m. – Announce Finalists
• 1:30 p.m. – Finals
• 2:30 p.m. – Awards and Closing
• we anticipate finishing no later than 3:00 p.m. You will make your own plans to get to the airport as needed.

Equity:
We expect all participants to behave in a way in a way that is respectful at all times to everyone. If something happens that makes you feel unsafe or uncomfortable, please speak with the tournament equity officer, or contact by email: OSDUequity@gmail.com

Resources:
Canadian National Debate Format Rules
Ontario Student Debating Union – Scoring Guide
Policy Regarding Preparation for Debate Rounds
Policy Regarding Spectators