British Parliamentary Championships
The Canadian British Parliamentary Championships is the only recognized Canadian championship tournament for advancing Canadian Debaters to the following International Competitions:
- Oxford Schools Debating Competition – held at Oxford University
- Cambridge Schools Debating Competition – held at Cambridge University
- International Competition for Young Debaters – held at Oxford and Cambridge Universities in alternating years
Competitors are selected by their provincial associations, usually at a provincial championship. The tournament host rotates around the country.
2021 Championships – Online (Zoom), Manitoba
Due to the continued global pandemic of 2020 – COVID19, the Senior British Parliamentary National Debate Championships hosted by Manitoba Speech and Debate Association was again held online from November 19th – 22nd, 2021. The Junior Tournament will be held January 7th – 9th, 2022. The senior high tournament and Steven Penner Award was won by Max Williams and Imaara Keshwani from Old Scona Academic High School, in Alberta. Max Williams also won as the best individual debater.
Tournament History
The Canadian British Parliamentary Championships was started in 2005 by Chris George from Lower Canada College, and in partnership with debate associations, and schools from across Canada. This Championship has had three names since its beginnings. It began in 2005 as the North American Championships (NorAms) with the top teams from this event being invited to compete at Oxford University, the following spring. In 2009, it was renamed the Oxford Cup as it was really a qualifier to this tournament. In 2018, it grew to include invitations from Cambridge, and to our Junior High students. It was then renamed the Canadian British Parliamentary Championships. Since then, the Championships has become recognized as the only competition for qualifying Canadian students for Oxford and Cambridge University Tournaments.
Special thank you to Chris George for his dedication and work in starting this Canadian Event.
| Host | Champions | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Convenor | Top Team | Province |
| 2021 – CBPC | John Robinson (MB) | Max Williams & Imaara Keshwani | Alberta |
| 2021 – U15 | John Robinson (MB) | Michelle Liu & Vanessa Zhang | British Columbia |
| 2020 – CBPC | Jason Hong (AB) | Annushka Agarwal & Ethan Jasny | British Columbia |
| 2020 – U15 | Jason Hong (AB) | Jin Zhou & Sarah Li | British Columbia |
| 2019 – CBPC | Melissa Ong (SK) | Matthew Farrell & Nick Abernathy | Nova Scotia |
| 2019 – U15 | Melissa Ong (SK) | Alex Logan & Annie Lu | British Columbia |
| 2018 – CBPC | Nicole Ratti (ON) | Diba Heydary & Max Rosen | Ontario |
| 2018 – U15 | Nicole Ratti (ON) | Angie Lei & Heather Li | Ontario |
| 2017 | Jonathan Bracewell (QC) | Kristin Smith & Madeline Ritter | Manitoba |
| 2016 | John Robinson (MB) | Armin Safavi-Nainl & Martine Duffy | Ontario |
| 2015 | Guillaume Laroche (AB) | Dasha Metropolitansky & Kiara Hassan | Ontario |
| 2014 | Jonathan Bracewell (QC) | Lloyd Lyall & Samantha Starkey | British Columbia |
| 2013 | Tracey Lee (BC) | Mattea Roach & Rory Flynn | Nova Scotia |
| 2012 | John Robinson (MB) | Peter Koczanski & Ryan Sherbo | Manitoba |
| 2011 | John Vella (ON) | Debi Ogunrinde & Oliver Bjornsson | Nova Scotia |
| 2010 | Michael Muir (ON) | Catherine Kim & Nicole Ratti | Ontario |
| 2009 | Linda Martin (MB) | Iqball Kassam & Jonny Carson | British Columbia |
| 2008 | John Robinson (MB) | Sam Fritz-Tate & Sam Greene | Newfoundland & Labrador |
| 2007 | Martin Poirier (AB) | David Miko & Justen Hoffman-Russell | Alberta |
| 2006 | Chris George & Rachel McCabe (QC) | Calvin Rosemond & Joe Bricker | Ontario |
| 2005 | Chris George & Rachel McCabe (QC) | Joshua Sealy & Wyll McClary | Alberta |
Resources and Contact
The Canadian British Parliamentary Championships uses the British Parliamentary Debate Format, which is a style debated primarily in the United Kingdom. It is described in the following document:
- Official CBPC Rules
- The host should continue to use the following documents that they are most familiar with:
- Ballot
- Adjudicators Guide
- Judges Briefing
- Moderator Script
- The host may seek advice/guidance from the CNDC Board of Governors/past convenors as necessary.
- The host should continue to use the following documents that they are most familiar with:
The British Parliamentary National Championships is governed by a committee independent of the CSDF which is chaired by the current Senior High Nationals tournament host. You can read the National Championships By-Laws (Revised 2014) and National Championships Board of Governors. You can also read minutes from past committee AGMs:2021 – Online – Montreal, QC (QSDA)
- 2021 – Online – Montreal, QC
- 2020 – Online – Winnipeg, MB
- 2019 – Halifax, NS
- 2018 – St. John’s, NFLD
- 2017 – Vancouver, BC
- 2016 – Saskatoon, SK
- 2015 – Toronto, ON
- 2014 – Winnipeg, MB
- 2013 – Calgary, AB
- 2012 – Montreal, QC
- 2011 – Halifax, NS
- 2010 – Victoria, BC
- 2009 – Regina, SK
- 2008 – Calgary, AB
- 2007 – Toronto, ON
- 2006 – Montreal, QC
- 2004 – St. John’s, NL
Sponsors
We appreciate and graciously thank all sponsors for their support of our Canadian British Parliamentary Championships each year!
