Canadian Innovation Contests
CIPC — Canadian Innovation Public Speaking & Debate Contest
2026 Theme — Voices of Empathy. Two rounds: persuasive speech (preliminary) + live debate (final). Grades 5–8.
What is CIPC?
Persuasive public speaking + debate.
The contest is designed to allow students to showcase their persuasive speaking, communication, and debating skills. We focus on two areas — persuasive public speaking and debate.
2026 contest theme
Voices of Empathy.
This contest challenges students to articulate their perspectives on topics centered around empathy. Participants will develop and deliver speeches that argue for or against specific empathy-related issues — such as the role of empathy in leadership, its impact on community building, or its significance in conflict resolution. The aim is to foster critical thinking and effective communication skills while exploring the multifaceted nature of empathy.
Curriculum connection
The 4 Cs (and a 5th).
Public Speaking is the best way to become proficient in the 4 'Cs' of 21st-century skills — critical thinking, communication, collaboration, creativity — and a 5th: civic awareness.
It benefits students by improving poise, speech delivery, and public-speaking skills. It increases student retention of learned information, improves listening and note-taking, and builds self-confidence, critical thinking, and creativity.
Grouping by levels aligns well with student expectations to develop appropriate social-emotional learning skills, positive mental health and the ability to learn, build resilience, and thrive.
Levels & eligibility
Grades 5–8.
Open to students in Grades 5–8. Two levels: Junior (Grades 5 & 6) and Middle (Grades 7 & 8).
Preliminary round (qualifier)
Mar 1–15, 2026.
Preliminary Round focuses on persuasive public speaking. This is a qualifier round — students record and submit a persuasive speech. Topics will be specific to each level and provided in advance.
Final round
Mar 28, 2026, 12–3 PM ET (live on Zoom).
Final Round will be a debating contest. Students who score in the top 20% in each level during the preliminary round will be qualified to compete in the final round.
This will be a live contest over Zoom. Students in each level will be grouped into two sides — for and against a topic. They present speeches according to their side. Topics will be released in advance to all qualifying finalists. This is an extemporaneous speech — students can prepare in advance.
Awards
Gold, Silver, Bronze, Honors per level.
Gold (top 1%), Silver (top 2–3%), Bronze (top 4–6%), Honors (top 7–10%) per level — customized medal & e-certificate. Certificate of Participation for all. Award ceremony in the GTA.
Registration
Open to schools and individuals.
Register on the CIC hub. Schools can register multiple students. Individuals can register directly.
Preliminary round submissions are recorded video. Final round is live on Zoom — qualifying students will receive a Zoom link in advance.
Advisor
Debra Miko, CIPC Advisory Board.
Debra Miko is the Executive Director of Speech and Debate Canada Foundation, bringing decades of expertise in public speaking education and competitive debate to the CIPC Advisory Board.
Ready to register?
Register on the Canadian Innovation Contests hub. Schools can register multiple students; individuals can register directly.