Language & reading · Debate and Speech Association of British Columbia

BC Debate and Public Speaking Tournaments (DSABC)

School-based debate and public speaking tournaments that lead to BC and national championships. Junior public speaking starts in Grade 6.

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Grades
Grades 6–12
Format
In-person tournaments, competing for your school.
Cost
School membership is $200 a year. Tournament fees vary.
Official site
www.bcdebate.ca

Key dates

  • Not confirmed yetBC British Parliamentary ProvincialsMid to late October
  • ConfirmedSchool membership deadlineSun, November 15, 2026
  • Not confirmed yetBC Public Speaking ProvincialsLate November to early December
  • Not confirmed yetRegional debating championshipsLate January or early February
  • Not confirmed yetProvincial Debating Championship (Law Foundation Cup)Early March

What it is

The DSABC runs high school debate and public speaking in BC and selects BC's teams for national events.

The BC Public Speaking Provincial Championship is held in late November to early December. Grades 6–9 compete as Juniors and Grades 10–12 as Seniors. Top juniors can go on to the Canadian Junior Public Speaking Championships, usually in May.

Debaters compete in pairs from the same school. Regional championships in late January or early February have a Junior category (Grade 9 and under) and lead to the Provincial Debating Championship (Law Foundation Cup) in early March.

The BC British Parliamentary Provincial Championship is in mid to late October, with a Junior category for ages 15 and under.

A good fit if: Students who like to argue a point, think on their feet or perform in front of an audience.

How to register

  1. Students take part through their school's debate team. Memberships belong to schools, not individuals, and private academies can't join.
  2. A school staff member must register the school and pay the membership fee by November 15 each year.
  3. If your child's school has no team, the DSABC offers resources to help a teacher start one.
  4. To enter regionals, debaters must have done at least one tournament in the past year.

How to prepare

  • Free debate guides and videos are on the DSABC Resources page.
  • Junior public speaking event descriptions are linked from the Tournament Qualification page.

For grade-by-grade options see Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9, Grade 10, Grade 11, Grade 12.

Common questions

How can my child join debate in BC?

Through their school's debate team. Schools join the Debate and Speech Association of BC, and students then enter tournaments listed on its calendar.

Is there public speaking for middle school students in BC?

Yes. Students in Grades 6–9 compete in the Junior category of the BC Public Speaking Provincial Championship, held in late November to early December.

Can I sign my child up for debate tournaments without the school?

Not for DSABC events. Membership belongs to schools, and a school staff member must register.

What comes next

Language & reading

Spelling Bee of Canada

A national spelling bee for ages 6 to 14 with a British Columbia & Vancouver chapter. Registration for the 2027 program opens October 16, 2026.

Grades 1–9Fee for 2027 not posted yet

Sources

Last checked October 2, 2026. Dates can change, so always confirm with the organizer.