The Munk Debates are open to the public. Tickets to the debates are $25 to $90 each. Seating is limited. Each event begins at 7:00 p.m. with a vote by the audience on the resolution being debated. The debaters then provide opening arguments and cross-examine each other. A question and answer period with the audience follows. Our moderator keeps the proceedings orderly. The debate wraps up with a summation by each debater and a second vote by the audience on the resolution. The final vote is tallied and the winning side announced before 9pm.

The Munk Debates is an initiative of the Aurea Foundation, a charitable organization founded by Peter and Melanie Munk to support Canadian institutions involved in the study and development of public policy.

The Munk Debates is organized by Rudyard Griffiths and Patrick Luciani, the co-directors of the Salon Speakers Series.

The Munk Debates benefit from advice and insights of an advisory board. Its members include Mark Cameron, Andrew Coyne, Devon Cross, Allan Gotlieb, George Jonas, Margaret MacMillan, Anthony Munk and Janice Stein.

Organizers

Rudyard Griffiths

Rudyard Griffiths is the co-organiser and moderator of the Munk Debates. He is the co-host of the current affairs show National Affairs on CTV News Channel. Rudyard is the author of the 2009 Globe and Mail book of the year, Who We Are: A Citizen’s Manifesto. He has edited twelve collections of essays on Canadian and international political and historical themes.

Patrick Luciani

Patrick Luciani, co-director of the Salon Speakers Series is currently Senior Resident at Massey College, University of Toronto and Senior Fellow on Urban Affairs at the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies. Patrick is also the former Executive Director of the Donner Canadian Foundation. He has authored two books on economic issues, co-edited American Power with Rudyard Griffiths, and contributes to a number of publications including the NATIONAL POST and The Globe and Mail.