Index

2010 Debating Competition 

The 7th Annual OPC Debating Competition

Rules and Regulations

Area Debating Coordinators

Forms

Sixth Annual OPC Debating Competition

May 3, 2009 - Results

Guidelines for Judges

Ontario Student Debating Union

Canadian Student Debating Federation

Introduction

Aims of the OPC Optional Training Debating Program   

• To provide an opportunity for Air Cadets to develop self confidence, improve communication skills and increase their ability to reason, organize and express ideas logically and persuasively.

• To foster the principals of team working and enable cadets to further develop the skills acquired through the mandatory LHQ and Summer Training Centre leadership and instructional techniques courses.

• To promote the citizenship component of local squadron training by familiarizing Air Cadets with Robert’s Rules of Order.

• To increase public awareness at the provincial and local levels of the citizenship and leadership aspects of the Air Cadet program .

Background     

At the 2002 Hamilton Area Effective Speaking Contest a suggestion was made that consideration be given to the introduction of an Air Cadet Debating Competition.  In investigating this idea a meeting was held with all cadets participating in the National Air Cadet League Effective Speaking finals in Niagara Falls, Ontario.  The cadets were unanimous in their support of, and desire for, an Air Cadet Debating Competition.  In view of the logistics involved in such a competition on a national basis it was decided that we should begin with an OPC Competition. 

A program was developed using the Ontario Student Debating Union program as a model.  Workshops were conducted in the Hamilton area and included Cadets from the Niagara, Kitchener/Waterloo/Hamilton and Peel/Halton Regions.  A demonstration debate conducted at the 2003 OPC Annual General Meeting generated considerable support and the First Annual OPC Air Cadet Debating Competition took place the following May using the facilities of Mohawk College of Applied Arts & Technology in Hamilton.  

This program presents another opportunity for Squadrons to interact and compete against one another.  It can be a reasonably inexpensive program for Squadrons that does not require a large block of time out of the training year.  Further, it does not require a significant amount of time or personnel to implement and all can compete on a level playing field regardless of Squadron size.

Since 2004, there have been six annual competitions and each has increased in participation.  In 2009 (the 6th Annual Competition) a total of fifty-four cadets on eighteen teams, representing eleven Squadrons took part.  Additionally, a debating workshop for Air Cadets was held for the second straight year and run in conjunction with the competition.  This is a feature we hope to improve and grow for 2010.