About the Seminar
Each year the Canadian Student Debating Federation holds the National Debating Seminar, an event which aims to expose students to the art of debating while providing an opportunity for cultural exchange between young people from all regions of the country. Over the course of a week-long event, delegates attend workshops, are paired with other students for various styles of debate, perform public speeches, sit as members in model parliament and experience a variety of events related to the specific cultural identity of the host province.
The C.S.D.F. embraces both of Canada's official languages, offering students the opportunity to attend the Seminar as English, French or Bilingual delegates. The only bilingual speaking event in Canada, this component of the Seminar involves delegates switching from one language to another during their speeches and debates in true recognition of Canada's bilingual nature.
The National Seminar is an event made possible by the ongoing support of the Government of Canada, through Exchanges Canada, a program of the Department of Canadian Heritage aimed at creating opportunities for young Canadians to connect with one another and experience the diversity of cultures and languages that make up our country. To ensure that debate remains an activity available to all Canadian students, the travel expenses for student participants and one adult delegate per province are subsidized through a grant from Exchanges Canada.
