The Debaters

This week, we’re getting dialed in with a debate on landline phones. Matt Wright gives landlines a ringing endorsement, but Nikki Payne refuses to be tied down. Then, we’re pitting two easily confused cities against each other - it’s Saint John, New Brunswick versus St. John’s, Newfoundland. James Mullinger believes his city brings the Fun-dy, but Peter White has a rock-solid argument in favour of The Rock.

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

This week, we’re taking on Alberta’s favourite way to Boot Scootin’ Boogie: Line dancing. Dan Taylor thinks it’s time to get in line, but Clare Belford refuses to follow commands. Then, is the West Edmonton Mall the best destination in Canada? Erica Sigurdson says this mall has it all, but Sterling Scott is prepared to put this popular attraction on the shopping block.

Featuring: Dan Taylor, Clare Belford, Erica Sigurdson, and Sterling Scott.

It’s spooky season, and we’re asking: Is Halloween for adults? Matt Falk says grown-ups can be ghouls too, but Isabel Zaw-Tun believes this haunted holiday is for kids. Then, should you always follow the instructions? Peter Brown says step-by-step is best, but Levi McCachen claims that’s a recipe for disaster.

Featuring: Matt Falk, Isabel Zaw-Tun, Peter Brown, and Levi McCachen.

Can you never get enough pumpkin? Laurie Elliott is proudly pro-pumpkin, but Kyle Brownrigg says this overrated squash has him seeing orange. Next, do we all need to join a band? Wes Borg is ready to rock out, but Maddy Kelly believes this plan is bound to fall flat. Note, for all you keen Debaters fans, this is one from our vaults! 

Featuring: Laurie Elliott, Kyle Brownrigg, Wes Borg, and Maddy Kelly.

(Originally recorded in September 2019 and February 2020)

This week, we’ve got a debate that might get as rocky as the Rocky Mountains: Do Albertans have the most common sense? Alberta-born Henry Sir claims his people are the most sensible, but Edmonton’s Lisa Baker is ready to Stampede over his argument. Then, we’re pitting moustaches against beards! Jan Caruana keeps a stiff upper lip when she defends moustaches, but Ola Dada is prepared to battle it out for beards.

Featuring: Henry Sir, Lisa Baker, Jan Caruana, Ola Dada.

Is the Legion hall the best place for a night on the town? Brittany Lyseng serves up the funny with her pro-Legion plea, but Ryan Williams believes there’s better places to party. Then, it’s Thanksgiving weekend and we’re asking: Should family obligations be optional? Emily Woods argues for freedom when it comes to family affairs, but Patrick Ledwell says these occasions are too special to miss.

Featuring: Brittany Lyseng, Ryan Williams, Emily Woods, and Patrick Ledwell.

The Debaters has been nominated for a Signal Award! You can vote for us here.

Does the rising cost of living mean adult children should move back in with their parents? James Mullinger says there’s no better time to move back with mom and dad, but Hisham Kelati believes it’s better to leave the nest for good. Then, is there nothing better than a coupon? Lara Rae is prepared to vouch for vouchers, but Bruce Clark claims these discounts are no big deal.

Featuring: James Mullinger, Hisham Kelati, Lara Rae, and Bruce Clark.

The Debaters has been nominated for a Signal Award! You can vote for us here.

When it comes to gifts, is it the thought that counts? Charlie Demers brings a thoughtful argument in support of thoughtful gifts, but Deborah Kimmett refuses to wrap her head around it. Then, does wealth beat fame? Chad Anderson would bet money that it’s superior to be rich, but Sean Lecomber says it’s better to be a VIP.

Featuring: Charlie Demers, Deborah Kimmett, Chad Anderson, and Sean Lecomber.

This week, we’re putting everything on the line when we pit clotheslines against dryers. Katie-Ellen Humphries is pro-clothesline and she’s prepared to hang her opponent out to dry, but Myles Morrison is ready to get into a tumble when he defends dryers. Then, should Saskatoon be Saskatchewan’s capital city? Peter Brown claims this cultural hub is ready for a new title, but Cory Mack believes Toontown just isn’t capital material.

Featuring: Katie-Ellen Humphries, Myles Morrison, Peter Brown, and Cory Mack. 

It’s the premiere of The Debaters’ 21st season and we want to know which camp you’re in: Tent or RV? Gavin Clarkson pitches a perfect argument for tents, but Yumi Nagashima champions the creature comforts of RVs. Then, do the toughest Canadians come from Saskatchewan? Kelly Taylor says his home province spawns strength but Myles Anderson believes toughies come from far and wide.

Featuring: Gavin Clarkson, Yumi Nagashima, Kelly Taylor, and Myles Anderson.

This week, we’ve got a brainy battle on whether museums are the secret to smarts. Museum-goer Isabel Zaw-Tun is ready to exhibit her knowledge, but Wassim El-Mounzer is against these displays. Then, are rules meant to be broken? Deborah Kimmett brings a criminally funny argument, but Don Kelly says rules have reasons.

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

This episode of The Debaters first aired on Jan. 22, 2026. We’ll be back with brand new episodes Sept. 10!

This week, we’re waxing on about the pros and cons of candles. Jon Steinberg says candles light up his life, but Jan Caruana is ready to snuff out her opponent’s argument. Then, is Tom Cruise really the Top Gun? Adam Cawley agrees and he’s got the need for speed, but David Pryde says supporting this star is Risky Business.

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

This episode of The Debaters first aired on Dec. 18, 2025. We’ll be back with brand new episodes Sept. 10!

Right on cue, we’re pitting pool against darts. Kelly Taylor says pool is the preferable pub game, but Clare Belford hits the mark when she supports darts. Then, two Prince Edward Islanders go potatoe-to-toe on whether their home province is the best place to grow up. Meg MacKay is ready to go to Charlotte-town when she defends her PEI upbringing, but Patrick Ledwell believes there’s better places to make your start.

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

This episode of The Debaters first aired on Nov. 20, 2025. We’ll be back with brand new episodes Sept. 10!

Does being a night owl beat being an early riser? Don Kelly supports the late night life, but Yumi Nagashima believes the early bird gets the worm. Then, we decide if dogsledding is paws-itively thrilling. Graham Clark is ready to gush about mushing, but Jenny Hamilton is dog-tired of this winter activity.

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

This episode of The Debaters first aired on Nov. 27, 2025. We’ll be back with brand new episodes Sept. 10!

This week, we’re deciding if it’s better to plan ahead or play it by ear. Graham Chittenden is all for flying by the seat of your pants, but Nour Hadidi says winging it never wins. Then, are small airports the best? Shawn Hogan says when it comes to airports, the smaller the better, but James Mullinger refuses to get on board.

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

This episode of The Debaters first aired on Nov. 6, 2025. We’ll be back with brand new episodes Sept. 10!

For The Debaters’ season finale, we’re finding out if the grass is greener on the other side in “Backyard vs. Front Yard.” Matt Wright believes the backyard is best, but Patrick Dussault argues the front yard should be the front-runner. Next, is travelling with kids part of your summer plans? Julie Kim is pro-parenting on holiday, but Sammy Farid says you might need a vacation from your vacation.

Featuring: Matt Wright, Patrick Dussault, Julie Kim, and Sammy Farid.

Is “everything in moderation” good advice? Erica Sigurdson argues it’s best to live your life in moderation mode, but Derek Seguin is ready to say yes to excess. Then, when it comes to communication, does texting reign supreme? Chad Anderson gives texting two thumbs up, but Big Daddy Tazz is tired of the tyranny of typing.

Featuring: Erica Sigurdson, Derek Seguin, Chad Anderson, and Big Daddy Tazz.

Is copying the ultimate compliment? This Hour Has 22 Minutes’s Chris Wilson makes a good impression with his pro-plagiarism argument, but Sean Cullen says there’s nothing worse than a cheap imitation of the real thing. Next, we’re asking if everybody needs therapy. Nikki Payne claims we could all use some time on the counselling couch, but Ashwyn Singh refuses to talk it out.

Featuring: Chris Wilson, Sean Cullen, Nikki Payne, and Ashwyn Singh.

This week, we’ve got a saucy question: Is no meal complete without dipping sauce? Matt Falk’s pro-dip argument is a slam dunk, but Charles Haycock claims these sauces just don’t cut the mustard. Then, we’re taking on boycotts. Martha Chaves believes in the power of a boycott, but Abdul Aziz champions other ways to make change.

Featuring: Matt Falk, Charles Haycock, Martha Chaves, and Abdul Aziz.

On this week’s new episode, London’s calling, when we pit London, Ontario against London, England. Ron Sparks says Canada's London is a city after his own heart, but Arthur Simeon believes the British version is better. Then, we’re deciding if Facebook Marketplace is the best place to buy and sell. Graham Chittenden gives this platform a five-star rating, but Kaitlin Shuvera refuses to use Meta’s marketplace.

Featuring: Ron Sparks, Arthur Simeon, Graham Chittenden, and Kaitlin Shuvera.

The Big Five answers the most pressing question of our time: what are the “Big 5” of any given category? Not the best 5. Not the top 5. Not anyone’s favourite 5. But objectively, the Big 5. In each episode, Donovan Woods, Tom Power, and a celebrity guest tackle new topics and debate things like: what are the Big 5 farm animals? Types of hats? Slang terms for “butt”? Ways to cook a potato? Guys named Paul? Guests in this season include Vivek Shraya, Jordan Canning, William Prince, Lindsay Ell, Elamin Abdelmahmoud and more!

More episodes of The Big Five are available wherever you get your podcasts, and here: https://link.mgln.ai/TB5xTD

In this week’s all-you-can-laugh episode, we’re asking if table service is better than a buffet. Simon Rakoff serves up his best jokes in support of table service but Wassim El-Mounzer is ready to make us believe in buffets. Then, does Toronto offer the best quality of life? Juno award-winner Adam Christie says yes, his city CN Towers above the rest, but Clare Belford thinks the “T-Dot” has lost the plot.

Featuring: Simon Rakoff, Wassim El-Mounzer, Adam Christie, and Clare Belford.

This week, we’re covering a topic from A to Gen Z. Do millennials win the parenting prize? Levi McCachen says millennials have totally won parenting, but Simon King says other generations do it better. Next, it’s rain versus shine. Charles Haycock says rain rules, but Katie-Ellen Humphries is ready to argue her position with a sunny disposition.

Featuring: Levi McCachen, Simon King, Charles Haycock, and Katie-Ellen Humphries.

Prepare to be floored! This week, we’re deciding if carpet conquers hardwood. Jan Caruana’s on a roll when she argues in favour of carpet, but Sean Cullen says wood floors are best, plank you very much! Then, from London, Ontario, home of Western University, we’re asking: does nothing beat living in a university town? Courtney Gilmour's in-tuition says yes, but Rob Bebenek believes it’s better to live far away from any campus.

Featuring: Jan Caruana, Sean Cullen, Courtney Gilmour, and Rob Bebenek.

Is avoiding scammers mission imposter-ble? Craig Fay argues that it’s easy to fall for a scam these days, but Elvira Kurt is a born skeptic. Next, we’re talking book clubs. Martha Chaves says they’re a novel idea, but Kyle Brownrigg refuses to join the club.

Featuring: Craig Fay, Elvira Kurt, Martha Chaves, and Kyle Brownrigg.

This week, we’re in London, Ontario, aka “The Forest City” and we’re asking if trees are overrated. Dave Hemstad says yes, it’s time to fir-get our forest friends, but Jon Steinberg believes he’s barking up the wrong tree. Then, we talk about the pros and cons of praise. Kate Davis disapproves of excess approval but Faris Hytiaa is ready to rave about recognition.

Featuring: Dave Hemstad, Jon Steinberg, Kate Davis, and Faris Hytiaa.

Everyone likes a massage, right? Emily Woods argues that we all knead one, but Ivan Decker says, “Can’t touch this!” Then, trouble bubbles up when we debate the best way to wash your dishes. Ryan Williams is Team Dishwasher and Sean Devlin is Team Hand Wash - which side are you on?

Featuring: Emily Woods, Ivan Decker, Ryan Williams, and Sean Devlin.

Are social media influencers trustworthy authorities? Elvira Kurt argues yes, and she’s prepared to influence us but Andrew Johnston downvotes that idea. Next, we’re debating the switch to electric vehicles. Jacob Samuel’s on board but Julie Kim believes we Musk not do it!

Featuring: Elvira Kurt, Andrew Johnston, Jacob Samuel, and Julie Kim.

The CBC has some great fans, but are they the greatest ever? Charlie Demers thinks yes, and Abdul Aziz says no way. If you’re a CanCon connoisseur, this one’s for you! Next, we tackle coffee dates. Are they the best kind of date? Faris Hytiaa thinks they'll perk you up but Shirley Gnome believes they're actually unromantic. 

Featuring: Charlie Demers, Abdul Aziz, Faris Hytiaa, and Shirley Gnome

Because News is Canada's funniest news quiz. Every week, host Gavin Crawford quizzes comedians and celebrities about the headlines.

This week’s guests include Brandon Ash Mohammed, Leslie Seiler, and Emma Hunter. They’re talking about why health-conscious men are eating boy kibble, if Canadian curlers are the real villains at the Olympics, if ‘Janice’ is our best chance at negotiating with the US, and dive into the new awkward controversy that is shocking the ski jumping world.

Find and follow to Because News wherever you get your podcasts, and here: https://link.mgln.ai/BNxTD