Debate is Not an Argument. It’s a Conversation.

Elspeth Easton has been the Debate Coach at Glenlyon Norfolk School (GNS) since 2015. She is also the Regional Coordinator for Vancouver Island working with students across the region—even supporting homeschooled debaters.

In January, 2025, Coach Easton and GNS hosted the regional debate competition, which brought together debaters from schools across Vancouver Island. In March her team of 10 were among 158 of the top debaters who made it to the BC Law Foundation Cup—BC’s debate provincials— at Brentwood College, on Mill Bay.

Elspeth says in Debate, students as young as 12 tackle big topics and wrestle with complex ideas. The range of topics coupled with the power of persuasion is a big part of what Elspeth loves about it.

”Not all of us want to go out and be policy analysts. But I think at our core all of us want something, whether it’s convincing your parents to get a pet, or to be more engaged in activist roles. It’s about being able to be articulate and demonstrate that not only do you have the evidence for your points, but also the analysis to show why it’s right.”

Debate impacts student lives in different ways. Coach, parents and students agree—debate schools you for life.

“Debate is not an argument. It’s a conversation,” says Easton. “I think being able to teach people to have meaningful conversations—even if there is going to be disagreement—is important. But also to do so in a respectful way, so when they have an issue themselves, they feel not only compelled to bring them forward, but also to do so in a way that will attract people to listen to them instead of isolating them.”

Farhan Kanji’s daughter Kamilah is in Grade 8 at GNS. The 2025 Provincials were a first for her—after her team won regionals in January. The provincials were also a first for her Dad, who volunteered as a judge.  

“I feel like we have a lot of debates in our house, which aren’t as cordial and nice as this, so it is interesting. But just being here—this is my first time judging—and the ability to to think through a problem, kind of create some arguments and then really present those, is a big skill. And then listening to the other team and being able to respond to their arguments in a cogent way is actually really cool. I think these are almost essential life skills. Public discourse today is pretty pathetic. Being able to sit here and learn as an eighth grader—how to have discourse and listen and rebut is really powerful.”

If you’re longing for a return to respectful dialogue, statesmanship from leaders and civility at the dinner table, Coach Easton says the answer may lie in the tussle of debate.

“In order to be a good debater, you also have to be a good listener. I think often when we reach times of political crisis or social crisis, it’s because people are scared. And I think that a lot can be done when you listen to another person, but also look at what’s affecting them. In Debate, because you’re looking at both sides of the resolution, you can’t just throw away one side, you actually have to meaningfully engage with the discourse and the ideas that are there. What that gives students and everyone in general is an opportunity to pause and actually look at what is impacting people and why folks might feel a certain way.”

She believes the art of debate can help navigate contentious conversations, but admits diffusing tension around the family dinner table can get a bit more complex.

“I think always asking ‘Why?’ particularly when it comes to elements that are really complex. Breaking them down into their component points and asking ‘why’. It’s harder when it comes to family because they don’t always play by the rules. It might sound trite, but using “I statements”—“I think you’re saying this”, can sometimes—at least in the case of very stubborn family members of which I admit to being one—put you in a position where you are willing to answer at least.” 

And students agree. In an interview with CBC Radio on the topic of Debate, Owen Krigolson ’25 who’s been debating since Grade 6 at GNS, puts it like this:

“What’s great about Debate that you realize through the years is that even if people aren’t going to change their mind on an issue or aren’t going to be open to new ideas, you yourself can kind of develop that open-mindedness to understanding that.”

In that same CBC interview, Ryan MacPherson ’25 describes what Debate has taught him: 

“When you’re sitting there and you’re having to listen to other teams argue, you need to really take in what they’re saying and you need to look at it from their perspective so you can engage with that dialogue. Taking that away from Debate and into real conversations has allowed me to really engage with people on a more personal level and remove the randomness that can happen with conversations.”

Now in Grade 10, Finn Adamson ’27, has been debating since Grade 7. 

“I think it’s a great way to develop empathy with the other side. I think so many of the issues in today’s world stem from not being able to communicate clearly and candidly and Debate really helps with that. I think it’s just incredibly important no matter what field you’re in.”

Coach Easton believes in Debate as a life skill. She says the program is a great tradition at GNS:

“GNS is one of the first schools to be part of the national organization, which is the Canadian Student Debating Federation (CSDF). GNS is also one of the few schools that allows students in Grade 6 to debate, at least in BC. When it comes to Debate, it doesn’t have to be your passion project. I firmly believe anyone can do it. If you have the drive to do it, we can get you there.”

Congratulations to the 10 Junior and Senior GNS debaters for making it to Provincials, and for upholding the strong GNS Debate tradition: 

Eryn Gage (Grade 8), Kamilah Kanji (Grade 8), Ainsley Pagett (Grade 8), Sydney Bateman (Grade 8), Noah MacAulay (Grade 11), Luca Finn Storan (Grade 11), Finn Adamson (Grade 10), Jacob Tam (Grade 12), Ryan MacPherson (Grade 12), Owen Krigolson (Grade 12)

Special shout outs to:

Finn and Noah – 7th place team (won 4 out of 5 rounds) 

Luca and Ryan – 9th place team (won 4 out of 5 rounds) 

Owen and Jacob – 12th place team (won 4 out of 5 rounds) 

Finn Adamson has also qualified for Team BC tryouts in 2026, an event he has also qualified for with Luca Finn Storan this year.