List of Canadian debaters

This is a list of top-ranked university debaters and public speakers from Canada.

To keep it at a reasonable length, only individuals who have won, made the finals, won top individual speaker, been a top ten speaker at Worlds or been public speaking champion at official national or international championships (e.g. World championship, North American championship, Canadian national championship) are listed.

While debaters who have general biographical articles are listed here, the primary purpose of this list is to compile a list of highly-ranked debaters and public speakers in national and international competition. As such, individuals need not have their own articles to be listed here, and individuals who are best-known primarily for their debating achievements need not have separate articles created for them.

World champions, World finalists (as team or speaker), and North American champions are indicated in bold font so as to stand out. Information on each individual includes year of birth, year of death, school(s) represented, and accolades in major debating and public speaking competition.

A-B
*Ranjan Agarwal, University of Alberta, University of Western Ontario, University of Ottawa, Top Speaker at 2002 North American debating championship, 1999 Canadian national debating champion, Top Ten Speaker, 2002 World University Debating Championships
*Rahool Agarwal, University of Alberta, University of Toronto, 2004 Canadian national debating champion, 2003 Canadian national debating finalist
*Greg Allen, University of British Columbia, Top Speaker at 2004 North American debating championship, 2002 Canadian national debating champion
*Daniel Bach, University of Toronto, 1999 and 2001 Canadian national debating finalist
*Bryan Badali, McGill University, president of the McGill Debating Union 2006-2007
*Peter Balasubramanian, McGill University, 1992 and 1993 Canadian national debating champion
*Sacha Bhatia, McGill University, 1998 Canadian national debating champion
*John Bielby, Concordia University, 1994 Canadian national public speaking champion
*Mark Bigney, McGill University, 1999 North American public speaking champion
*Scott Bohaker, University of Toronto, 1995 Canadian national debating finalist
*Laurel Bowman, University of British Columbia, 1984 Canadian national debating finalist
*Gary Boyd, Queen's University, University of Ottawa, 1979 and 1982 Canadian national debating champion, 1978 Canadian national debating finalist
*Diane Brady, University of Toronto, 1987 Canadian national debating champion
*Jason Brent, University of Toronto, 1993 World debating finalist, 1993 North American debating champion, 1990 and 1991 Canadian national debating champion
*Gerald M. Butts (1971-), McGill University, 1992 and 1993 Canadian national debating champion

C
*Alex Campbell, McGill University, 2004 Canadian national debating finalist, 2006 English National Mace debating finalist
*Paul Canniff, Carleton University, Universite de Montreal, 1985 and 1986 Canadian national debating finalist
*Randy Cass, University of Toronto, 1995 North American debating champion, 1994 Canadian national debating champion and top speaker
*Frank Cesario, University of Toronto, 1994 Canadian national debating champion
*Chris Chandler, McGill University, 1987 Canadian national public speaking champion
*Alexandra Clark, McGill University, 1989 Canadian national debating finalist
*James Clitheroe, Carleton University, 1995 Canadian national public speaking champion
*Emily Cohen, York University, 2003 Canadian national debating champion
*Matt Cohen, McGill University, 1996 North American debating champion
*Pelino Colaiacovo, University of Toronto, 1988 Canadian national debating finalist
*Matt Colledge, Queen's University, 1986 Canadian national debating champion
*David Conklin, University of Toronto, 1989 World debating finalist
*Doug Cooper (1960-), University of Toronto, 1984 Canadian national debating champion
*Paul Cooper, University of Toronto, 1984 Canadian national debating champion
*Youri Cormier, Concordia University, 2001 Canadian national debating finalist (French language), 2002 Canadian national debating champion (French language), 2002 Commerce Games debating champion, 2001 Commerce Games debating silver medalist, 2000 Commerce Games debating silver medalist
*Steve Coughlan, University of Toronto, 1981 World debating champion

D-F
*Tim Daley, Dalhousie University, 1989 Canadian national debating champion
*Francis Daniels, University of Toronto, 1983 World debating finalist
*Dale Darling, Queen's University, 1981 Canadian national debating champion
*Michael D'Abramo, University of Toronto, Top Speaker at 1995 North American debating championship, 1994 Canadian national debating finalist
*John Duffy, University of Toronto, 1983 Canadian national debating champion
*Erik Eastaugh (1979-), University of Ottawa, 2005 World debating champion
*Omar Fairclough, York University, 2003 Canadian national debating champion
*Monica Ferris, University of Toronto, 2008 Canadian national debating champion
*Marc Field, Memorial University, 1996 Canadian national public speaking champion
*Paul Fitzgerald, Universite de Montreal, 1986 Canadian national debating finalist
*Ian Freeman, University of Toronto, Carleton University, Top Speaker at 2007 North American debating championship, 2005 Canadian national debating champion, 2004 Canadian national public speaking champion
*Jamie Furniss (1983-), University of Ottawa, 2005 World debating champion

G
*Patricia Gartner, Dalhousie University, 1990 Canadian national debating finalist
*Shuman Ghosemajumder (1974-), University of Western Ontario, MIT, 1996 North American public speaking champion, 2002 North American debating finalist, 1996 Canadian national debating finalist
*Veer Gidwaney (1979-), University of Western Ontario, 1997 Canadian national debating finalist
*Marika Giles, Concordia University, 1995 North American public speaking champion
*Marc Givens, Queen's University, 1992 North American debating champion, Top speaker at 1993 North American debating championship, Top Speaker at 1991 Canadian national debating championship
*Jacob Glick, University of Toronto, 1997 Canadian national debating champion, 1998 Canadian national debating finalist
*Thomas Gough, University of Toronto, 1978 Canadian national debating champion, Top Speaker at 1981 Canadian national debating championship
*Ron Guirguis, University of Guelph, Top Speaker at 1996 North American debating championship and finalist, Top Speaker at 1995 Canadian national debating championship
*Mona Gupta, McGill University, 1991 World debating champion

H
*John Haffner, Dalhousie University, 1991 World debating finalist, Top Speaker at 1992 Canadian national debating championship
*Casey Halladay, University of Western Ontario, University of Ottawa, 2000 North American debating champion and top speaker, top speaker at 1998 North American debating championship, 1996 Canadian national debating finalist and top speaker
*Ian Hanomansing (1961-), Mount Allison University, Dalhousie University, Top individual debator, 1982 Nationals, 1984 nationals and 1985 nationals. Top public speaker, 1984 nationals and 1985 CUSID nationals at UBC, and top team debator, with Cyril Johnston, at 1985 nationals.
*Teddy Harrison, University of British Columbia, 2007 North American debating finalist
*Judy Hearn, Carleton University, 1988 Canadian national debating champion
*Cindy Holder, McGill University, 1989 Canadian national debating finalist
*Ken Hunt, University of Western Ontario, 1993 Canadian national debating finalist

I-J
*Jake Irving, University of Ottawa, 1994 North American public speaking champion
*Adam Jantunen, University of Ottawa, 2000 North American debating finalist
*Aidan Johnson, University of Toronto, 2001 North American public speaking champion
*Steven Johnson, University of Toronto, 1989 Canadian national public speaking champion, 1991 Canadian national debating finalist
*Cyril Johnston, Dalhousie University, 1985 Canadian national debating champion
*Gwynneth Jones, Queen's University, 1981 Canadian national debating champion

K-L
*Michael Kotrly (1982-), University of British Columbia, University of Toronto, 2006 World debating champion, 2005 World debating finalist, 2004 Canadian national debating champion, 2002 Canadian national debating finalist
*Laura Kusisto, Queen's University, 2006 North American debating finalist, Top Speaker at 2006 Canadian national debating championship
*Marc Laferriere, University of Ottawa, 2003 Canadian national public speaking champion
*Joanna Langille, University of Toronto, 2003 Canadian national debating finalist
*Martin Laplante, University of Ottawa, 1981 and 1982 World debating finalist
*Charlie Lavergne, McGill University, 1980 Canadian national debating champion
*Jon Laxer, University of Toronto, 2008 North American debating champion, 2008 Canadian national champion
*Adam Lazier, Queen's University, 2006 North American debating finalist
*Richard Lizius, University of Toronto, 2007 Canadian national champion, 2008 Canadian national debating finalist, Top speaker at 2008 Canadian national debating championships
*Adrienne Lipsey, University of Toronto, 2007 Canadian national champion
*Emma Lowman, McMaster University, 2002 Canadian national public speaking champion

M
*Nathan MacDonald, University of Western Ontario, University of Guelph, 1998 North American debating champion, 1999 North American debating champion, Top Speaker at 1998 Canadian national debating championship
*Justin MacGregor, University of Toronto/Ryerson University, 1989 World Debating Finalist, 1991 Second Place Speaker World Debating Championships, 1989 Canadian national public speaking champion, Top Speaker at 1989 Canadian national debating championship
*Alicia Maine, Queen's University, 1992 North American debating champion
*Melanie Marshall, Ryerson University, 1997 Canadian national public speaking champion
*Kevin Massie, Queen's University, University of British Columbia, Top Speaker at 2003 and 2002 Canadian national debating championships, 2002 Canadian national debating finalist
*Sunil Mathai, Hart House, University of Toronto, University of Ottawa, Top Ten Speaker, 2002 World University Debating Championships
*Nicola Matthews, Queen's University, 2000 Canadian national debating champion, Top Speaker at 2001 Canadian national debating championship
*Sean May, University of Ottawa, 1981 Canadian national public speaking champion
*Michael McCulloch, University of Toronto, University of Ottawa, 1981 and 1982 World debating finalist, 1979 and 1982 Canadian national debating champion, 1978 Canadian national debating champion
*Mark McKeegan, Carleton University, 1986 Canadian national public speaking champion, Top Speaker and finalist at 1987 Canadian national debating championship, 1985 Canadian national debating finalist
*Rory McKeown, University of Toronto, 2002 North American debating champion, 2001 Canadian national debating champion, 2000 Canadian national debating finalist
*Brian McLuggage, University of Toronto, 1995 North American debating finalist
*Linda McMillan, Carleton University, 1998 North American debating finalist
*Adrienne McNicholas, McGill University, 1993 World public speaking finalist, 1994 World public speaking champion
*Thomas Meehan, University of Toronto, 1993 World debating finalist, 1993 North American debating champion, 1990 and 1991 Canadian national debating champion
*Michael Meeuwis, University of Toronto, 2001 Canadian national public speaking champion, Top Speaker at 2000 Canadian national debating championship, 1999 and 2001 Canadian national debating finalist
*Matthew Mendelsohn, McGill University, Top Speaker at 1986 Canadian national debating championship
*Allen Middlebro, Carleton University, 1995 Canadian national debating champion, 1994 World Public Speaking Finalist.
*Rahim Moloo, University of British Columbia, 2004 World public speaking champion, 2002 Canadian national debating champion
*Marcel Mongeon, McGill University, 1981 World debating finalist, 1980 Canadian national debating finalist
*Anjan Mookerjera, University of Toronto, 1988 Canadian national debating finalist
*Chris Moore, University of Ottawa, 1991 North American public speaking champion
*Vinay Kumar Mysore, McGill University, 2008 North American public speaking champion, 2008 Canadian national public speaking champion

N-O
*Joanna Nairn (1984-), University of Toronto, 2006 World debating champion, 2005 World debating finalist, 2005 North American debating champion
*Jeff Nankivell, University of Toronto, 1983 World debating finalist, 1983 Canadian national debating champion
*Katherine Needham, University of Toronto, 1995 Canadian national debating finalist
*Tim O'Leary, University of Toronto, 1995 North American debating finalist, 1994 Canadian national debating finalist
*David Orr, University of Western Ontario, 1998 World debating finalist, 1993 Canadian national debating finalist and top speaker

P-Q
*Paul Paton, University of Toronto, 1987 Canadian national debating champion
*Brent Patterson, University of Western Ontario, 1998 World debating finalist, 1996 Canadian national debating champion
*Averill Pessin, University of Guelph, 1999 North American debating champion
*Mike Peters, Carleton University, 1998 North American debating finalist
*Peter Piliounis, Dalhousie University, 1990 Canadian national debating finalist
*Stephen Pitel, Carleton University, Dalhousie University, 1991 World debating finalist, 1988 Canadian national debating champion, 1987 Canadian national debating finalist
*Avery Plaw, University of Toronto, 1995 North American debating champion and top speaker, 1991 Canadian national debating finalist
*Dany Plouffe, Université de Sherbrooke, 2007 Canadian national debating champion (French language)
*Mike Podgorski, Queen's University, 1998 North American public speaking champion, 2000 Canadian national debating champion
*Joe Pollender, McGill University, 1980 Canadian national debating champion, 1981 Canadian national debating finalist
*Jessica Prince, McGill University, 2006 Top Speaker World Debating Championships,2004 and 2005 Canadian national debating finalist

R
*John Rankin, McGill University, 1981 World debating finalist
*James Renihan, McGill University, 2004 North American debating champion, Top Speaker at 2005 Canadian national debating championship
*John Rankin, McGill University, 1980 Canadian national debating finalist
*Duncan Retson, Acadia University, 1998 Canadian national public speaking champion
*James Rocchi, University of Western Ontario, 1991 World public speaking champion, 1990 Canadian national public speaking champion
*John Robinson, McGill University, 1981 Canadian national debating finalist
*Jason Rogers, McGill University/University of Toronto, 2008 North American debating champion 2008 World University Public Speaking Champion, 2005 North American public speaking champion, 2005 Canadian national public speaking champion
*Aaron Rousseau, University of Toronto, 2002 North American debating champion, 2001 Canadian national debating champion, 2000 Canadian national debating finalist

S
*Jim Scala, University of Guelph, 1996 North American debating finalist
*Paul Schwartz, University of British Columbia, 1984 Canadian national debating finalist
*Michael Shore, University of Toronto, Top Speaker at 1997 Canadian national debating championship, 1998 Canadian national debating finalist
*Gordon Shotwell, McGill University, 2004 North American debating champion, 2005 Canadian national debating finalist
*Robert Silver, University of Western Ontario, University of Ottawa, 1998 and 2000 North American debating champion, 1996 Canadian national debating champion, 1999 Canadian national debating champion and top speaker
*Louis-Eric Simard, Concordia University, 2001 Canadian national debating finalist (French language), 2002 Canadian national debating champion (French language), 2001 Counihan Cup Top Speaker (English language), 2002 Commerce Games debating champion, 2001 Commerce Games debating silver medalist, 2000 Commerce Games debating silver medalist
*Ajit Paul Singh, University of Alberta, 2003 World public speaking champion
*Ashish Sinha, University of British Columbia, 2007 North American debating finalist
*Awanish Sinha, University of Ottawa, 1992 North American public speaking champion, 1993 Canadian national public speaking champion
*Jamie Springer, McGill University, 1996 North American debating champion
*Neil Steinman, Queen's University, 1986 Canadian national debating champion
*Laura Stewart, Dalhousie University, 1989 Canadian national debating champion

T-V
*Jordan Tan, Carleton University, 1995 Canadian national debating champion
*Andy Taylor, University of Toronto, 1981 World debating champion and top speaker, 1978 Canadian national debating finalist
*Melanie Tharamangalam, University of Toronto, 2005 North American debating champion
*W. Scott Thurlow, University of Western Ontario, University of Ottawa, 2000 North American debating finalist, 1997 Canadian national debating finalist
*Gaurav Toshniwal, University of Toronto, 2006 Canadian national debating champion
*Dena Varah, McGill University, 1998 Canadian national debating champion
*Paul-Erik (Dash) Veel, University of Toronto, 2008 Canadian national debating finalist
*Yannick Veilleux-LePage, Carleton University, 2007 Canadian National Public Speaking Champion (French language)

W-Z
*Chris Wayland, McGill University, 1991 World debating champion, Top Speaker at 1989 Canadian national debating championship
*Marc Weber, University of Waterloo, 1991 and 1992 Canadian national public speaking champion
*John Whelan, Memorial University, 2000 Canadian national public speaking champion and 4 time CUSID East Champion
*Kevin Whitehouse, University of Ottawa, Top Speaker at 1990 Canadian national debating championship
*Grant Yiu, University of Toronto, 1997 Canadian national debating champion
*Andrew Zadel, McGill University, 2001 World public speaking champion, 1999 Canadian national public speaking champion

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