Our Visionary

Willis Stewart McLeese

Willis McLeese has had a long track-record of success in business, attributable to his unparalleled work ethic (including daily work routines right up until December, 2010) and his innovative and creative approach to every day obstacles.

Mr. McLeese is widely known for his various philanthropic efforts. His passion for horses and disabled individuals led him to support the Georgian Riding Association for Challenged Equestrians or GRACE, giving this worthwhile organization a home at his stable near Owen Sound, Ontario, for almost 20 years.

His efforts to help young people learn leadership and communication skills led Willis to support and nurture the Canadian Student Debating Federation (CSDF) since 1974.

In 2003, Willis started a fund to support the CSDF and Upper Canada College with both a home and finances to continue the work of ensuring that no Canadian student regardless of where they go to school should ever be deprived of an opportunity to participate in educational debate.

Willis Stewart McLeese

1913 - 2011

Generously funded by Willis Stewart McLeese and the McLeese Foundation, Speech and Debate Canada Foundation was founded in 2017 by Willis’s son Robert Stewart McLeese.

Tom Lawson, founder of the CSDF wrote, “The Canadian Student Debating Federation for which Willis McLeese has been Initiator, Mentor, Godfather and Guide for 34 years, has been making a significant contribution to the quality of public life in Canada. I honestly believe that, were it not for him, we would not be here.”

"The growth of debate clubs in our public schools over the last two years would not have been possible without SDCF's incredible programs!"

Ali Cherri, Provincial Coordinator, Nova Scotia Debating Society (NSDS)

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"Thank you to Speech and Debate Canada for providing a weekly coaching session to our local schools."

Marilyn Lunde, Kootenay Regional Coordinator, Debate and Speech Association of BC (DSABC)

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“Joining the debate club and learning this skill was the best part of my school year.”

Grade 12 student, West Hill Collegiate Institute, Toronto, Ontario

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"Speech and Debate Canada Foundation has had an incredible impact on junior and senior high debate in Nova Scotia."

Isaac Cormier, Debate Coach, Nova Scotia

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Our Visionary

Willis Stewart McLeese

"The growth of debate clubs in our public schools over the last two years would not have been possible without SDCF's incredible programs!"

"Thank you to Speech and Debate Canada for providing a weekly coaching session to our local schools."

“Joining the debate club and learning this skill was the best part of my school year.”

"Speech and Debate Canada Foundation has had an incredible impact on junior and senior high debate in Nova Scotia."