UBCO students will debate if a temporary wealth tax could help with Canada’s affordability crisis.
What: Roger Watts Debate: Be it resolved that Canada’s affordability crisis justifies a temporary wealth tax
Who: UBC Okanagan student debaters
When: Wednesday, March 29 at 5:30 pm
Where: Mary Irwin Theatre, Rotary Centre for the Arts, 421 Cawston Ave., Kelowna
In a world of division, debate matters.
As many Canadians struggle with the rising costs of food, gas and accommodation, some wonder if the government should or could do more.
These struggles are at the centre of this year’s Roger Watts Debate, a community event where top UBC Okanagan student debaters take the stage to argue for and against a timely, controversial topic: Be it resolved that Canada’s affordability crisis justifies a temporary wealth tax.
Debate organizer Dr. Julien Picault, an Economics Professor in UBC Okanagan’s Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, says he’s looking forward to the return of the in-person debate.
“It’s going to be a really fun evening,” says Dr. Picault. “We try to choose topics that Canadians are thinking about, and this year is no exception as inflation and housing costs are weighing heavily on the minds of many.
“We all endure the effect of the affordability crisis in Canada, and many have strong feelings about whether or not a temporary wealth tax would be viable or even fair. That’s exactly why this debate is necessary, so we can all understand the differing perspectives and arguments at hand,” he adds.
Student debaters will be evaluated by a panel of community judges and a $1,000 prize will be awarded for first place, with $500 for the runners-up.
The annual debate is named after the late Roger Watts, a respected member of the Okanagan’s legal community.
This event is free, open to the public, and supported by local donors and community sponsors.
To register or find out more, visit: epp.ok.ubc.ca/about/roger-watts-debate.
