Victoria University Hosts Great Canadian Debate
By Leslie Shepherd
What should come first: a country’s own interests or its responsibilities to the wider world?
That timely question will take centre stage this fall when Victoria University in the University of Toronto hosts the Great Canadian Debate, a new event bringing together prominent Canadians for an evening of spirited discussion, thoughtful dialogue and civic engagement.
The event will raise funds for the Dr. Jean Augustine Professorship in Transformative Education, which will support research and teaching focused on helping students develop the critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving and leadership skills needed to navigate a rapidly changing world.
The debate will take place on Nov. 5, 2026, at the Isabel Bader Theatre and will be moderated by former CBC broadcaster Heather Hiscox Vic 8T6. Former Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations Bob Rae will debate former federal Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole on the motion: Should national interest take precedence over global responsibility?
The Oxford-style debate will invite audience members to vote on the motion before and after the event, measuring how persuasive each side has been. Judges are Sophia Chan-Combrink Vic 9T6, chief administrative officer of ventureLAB, and Jill Andrew, an educator, community leader and former journalist.
After immigrating to Canada from Grenada, Dr. Jean Augustine built a career as a teacher and principal before entering public life. In 1993, she made history as the first Black woman elected to Canada's Parliament.
During her political career, she served as Minister of State for Multiculturalism and the Status of Women and championed issues including education, equity, poverty reduction and youth development. She introduced the motion that led to February being officially recognized as Black History Month in Canada.
Dr. Augustine was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2009 and has received numerous honorary degrees, including one from the University of Toronto.
Victoria University is an ideal home for the professorship as it offers the only undergraduate education program on the University of Toronto’s St. George campus through the education stream of Victoria College’s award-winning Vic One program for first-year students, as well as its Education and Society program, the most popular of the six minor programs offered exclusively by Victoria College.