The Debaters

We’ve got a brainy battle on whether museums are the secret to smarts. Then, are rules meant to be broken? Stay tuned for a criminally funny debate.

Featuring: Isabel Zaw-Tun, Wassim El-Mounzer, Deborah Kimmett, and Don Kelly.

We’ve got a meaty debate on whether shawarma is the best midnight meal, then, two comedians school each other on parent-teacher conferences.

Featuring: Ali Hassan, Courtney Gilmour, Matt Falk, and Jenny Pue.

We’re bringing shear brilliance when mullets take on perms, then, be prepared to laugh when we discuss if everyone should become a doomsday prepper.

Featuring: Dave Hemstad, Laurie Elliott, Martha Chaves, and Paul Myrehaug.

It’s a throwdown when we decide if everyone should take up pottery. Then, should we all love lining up? We get down to the pros and cons of this social practice.

Featuring: Jacob Samuel, Brittany Lyseng, Abdul Aziz, and Ryan Williams.

It’s a battle of the brains when we discuss whether kids are smarter than their parents, then, we’ve got the X-Factor with a debate on talent shows.

Featuring: Ivan Decker, Syd Bosel, Sean Lecomber, and Sterling Scott.

We’re waxing on about the pros and cons of candles, we feel the need for speed when we ask if Tom Cruise really is the Top Gun.

Featuring: Jon Steinberg, Jan Caruana, Adam Cawley, and David Pryde.

We’re getting dialed in with a debate on landline phones. Then, we’re pitting two easily confused cities against each other - it’s Saint John, New Brunswick versus St. John’s, Newfoundland.

Featuring: Matt Wright, Nikki Payne, James Mullinger, and Peter White.

We’re right on target with a debate on snowball fights, then, it’s an ageless discussion on whether 60 is the new 40. Note, for all you keen Debaters fans, this is one from our vaults!

Featuring: Derek Edwards, Dave Hemstad, Mike Wilmot, and Deborah Kimmett. 

It’s never too late for night owls to take on early birds, then, we decide if dogsledding is paws-itively thrilling.

Featuring: Don Kelly, Yumi Nagashima, Graham Clark, and Jenny Hamilton.

Right on cue, we’re pitting pool against darts. Then, two Prince Edward Islanders go potatoe-to-toe on whether their home province is the best place to grow up.

Featuring: Kelly Taylor, Clare Belford, Meg MacKay, and Patrick Ledwell.

We’re deciding if it’s better to plan ahead or play it by ear, and if we should all get on board with small airports.

Featuring: Nour Hadidi, Graham Chittenden, Shawn Hogan, and James Mullinger.

We’re deciding if high school friendships are forever, then, it’s no time to be a fencesitter when we debate whether a nosy neighbour beats a noisy neighbour.

Featuring: Charlie Demers, Heidi Brander, Lisa Baker, and Derek Seguin.

It's full stream ahead when we pit podcasts against music. Then, we go to town on whether date nights should be crucial to every couple.

Featuring: Erica Sigurdson, Myles Anderson, Kyle Brownrigg, and Kate Davis.

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We’ve got a stone cold debate on whether curling should be Canada’s national sport. Then, who dishes out a better Thanksgiving, Canadians or Americans?

Featuring: John Cullen, Elvira Kurt, Clifton Cremo, and Nathan Macintosh.

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We’re deciding if meeting the parents is a major milestone, and whether Victoria, BC has the cool factor.

Featuring: Syd Bosel, Abdul Aziz, Ivan Decker, and Katie-Ellen Humphries.

Fill out our listener survey here. We appreciate your input!

We have a fasten-ating debate on Velcro vs. laces, then, we get down to business when we discuss dress codes at work.

Featuring: Lisa Baker, Sean Cullen, Chad Anderson, and Brittany Lyseng.

We’re deciding if Bluetooth just makes you blue, and if everyone should be driven to get a driver’s license.

Featuring: Arthur Simeon, Matt Falk, Jackie Pirico, and Derek Edwards.

We’re deciding if it makes sense to say “I do” all over again, and whether we should give living in the North the cold shoulder.

Featuring: Charlie Demers, Erica Sigurdson, Gavin Clarkson, and Quincy Thomas.

It’s the premiere of our 20th season! So we’re asking: Is 20 years a long time? Then, what’s in a name? We’re deciding if these signifiers need significance.

Featuring: Derek Seguin, Lara Rae, Ola Dada, and Wes Borg.

For the start of our 20th season, we're giving you a behind-the-scenes interview with our host Steve Patterson and Richard Side, creator of The Debaters! We'll be bringing you some of our most unforgettable debates, hearing from your favourite comedians, and getting the facts behind the funny!

Our season finale episode is a grocery grudge match and a real re-treat!

Featuring: Matt Wright, Jan Caruana, Laurie Elliott, and Tamara Shevon.

We’re pitting parental holidays against each other, and deciding if coaches are a make or break mentor.

Featuring: Dave Hemstad, Elvira Kurt, Emmanuel Lomuro, and Patrick Dussault.

We decide if wearing denim is a dream and whether ordering delivery is a breeze.

Featuring: Stacey McGunnigle, Myles Anderson, Graham Clark and Lachlan Patterson.

We decide if plastic beats paper and whether being hated has its benefits.

Featuring: Ivan Decker, Martha Chaves, Nikki Payne, and Bruce Clark.

When it comes to raising kids, does Winnipeg win? And is compromise a happy ending?

Featuring: Chad Anderson, Lara Rae, Courtney Gilmour, and Jon Dore.

It’s a homerun when we talk about a day at the baseball stadium, and whether commuting in Toronto is enough to drive you up the wall.

Featuring: Patrick Dussault, Simon Rakoff, Isabel Zaw-Tun, and Don Kelly.

Which Canadian confection are you sweet on: Butter tarts or Nanaimo bars? And do quitters never win?

Featuring: Deborah Kimmett, Jon Steinberg, Graham Chittenden, and Leonard Chan.

We decide if quiet is something to treasure, and whether a smoothie is meal-worthy.

Featuring: Yumi Nagashima, Charlie Demers, Katie-Ellen Humphries, and Gavin Clarkson.

Which wealth bracket has it worse: Billionaires or millionaires? And we decide if Barrie, Ontario is the place to be!

Featuring: Dave Hemstad, Don Kelly, Chris Quigley, Courtney Gilmour.

In a debate that needed its own full episode, the elbows go up and the gloves come off when two of our favourite debaters take on Canada becoming the 51st state.

Which jewels rule: rings or bracelets? And being a trailblazer is great…right?

Featuring: Graham Clark, Heidi Brander, Faris Hytiaa, and Lara Rae.

We debate if Americans should relocate to Canada’s East Coast, and whether a trip to the dentist is anything to smile about.

Featuring: Jay Malone, Nikki Payne, Mayce Galoni, and Matt Wright.

(Originally recorded in September 2017)

We decide whether meeting on Zoom beats brainstorming in the boardroom, plus we debate the virtues of volunteering.

Featuring: Peter Brown, Julie Kim, Maddy Kelly, and Charlie Demers.

We’re deciding if breakup songs are helpful or heartbreaking, then, we hit the jackpot when we debate whether Hard Rock establishments really rock.

Featuring: Anesti Danelis, Jan Caruana, Elvira Kurt, and Kyle Brownrigg.