Governor General's Award for Debate
The Governor General's Award for Debate is awarded to the top bilingual debater at the CSDF National Debating Seminar. Annually presented by the Speaker of the House of Commons (Canada), the Governor General's Award for Debate is named in recognition of the continuing support by the Governor General of Canada, honorary patron of the Canadian Student Debating Federation.
History
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 will attend debate and thematic workshops, debate in practice rounds critiqued by experienced coaches, experience a sample of the host province’s unique culture, and wrap it up with a fun tournament.
Criteria
Delegates to the National Debating Seminar are selected through each province's unique selection methods, be it by a bilingual provincial debate tournament or an application and screening process.
After a competitive tournament judged by distinguished speech and debate professionals in the Canadian National Debate Format and World's Style Debate Format, only one outstanding debater with the top aggregate score is presented with this accolade, receiving the title as the Top Student Debater in the Nation.