Day 2 - November 20, 2025  

Hi Everyone! 

We have 3 important things to share today + Notes for younger speakers: 

1) Sign up for the Inter-School Model UN Competition on Dec 2. 

1. Click here to see all the details. 
2. Click here to confirm your child's participation.  

2) Model UN topic for this week (Nov 20)

3) Model UN topic for next week (Nov 27) 

MODEL UN TOPIC FOR THIS WEEK (NOV 20)

Teams that come prepared will get an extra point. 

JUDGE = NORA

Debate Question:  Should your party support the new Canadian Budget?  

Note: It doesn't matter what party you support; the point of Model UN is to be able to think out of the box and represent the one that is assigned to you.  In this way, it also encourages you to find a new perspective and expand your knowledge. 

Liberal Party: 

1. Viana
2. Aryana (Leader)
3. Madelaine 

Conservative Party: 

1. Alex
2. Naya (Leader)
3. Nicholas

NDP (New Democratic Party: 

1. Ella (Leader)
2. Gabriel
3. Ina

Bloc Québécois: 

1. Chelsea
2. Michael (Leader)
3. Chiara

Notes + Tips

Everyone read this: 

Background Sheet: Canada’s 2025 Federal Budget

• What Is the Budget?
  The 2025 federal budget is a plan made by Canada’s government that explains how it will spend money and where it will get money from. It was announced on November 4, 2025, by the Finance Minister. Wikipedia+2Deloitte+2
• The budget is called “Canada Strong” — the goal is to make big investments now so the country is stronger in the future. Wikipedia

Big Investments (Spending):

• The government plans to spend $51 billion over 10 years to improve local infrastructure, like roads, water systems, schools, universities, and hospitals. Canada

• It also wants to invest in innovation and clean energy, which means supporting new technology and building things that are good for the environment. Budget Canada

• There is special tax help (“tax credits”) to encourage companies to invest more in Canada, especially in research and development. Budget Canada

• The government is also increasing defense spending to make Canada more secure. Reuters+2Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton+2

How They Will Pay for It:

• The government expects a big deficit in 2025–26: about $78.3 billion, which means they plan to spend more than they get in revenue this year. Deloitte

• To make this work, they plan to save $60 billion over the next five years by making government spending more efficient and cutting some routine costs. Budget Canada

• They also want to balance their “day-to-day” spending (things like salaries and services) by 2028–29 so that future budgets are more stable. Deloitte+1

Challenges and Trade-Offs:

• Because the government is borrowing more now, there’s a risk: if things go wrong, paying back could be hard. Deloitte

• Some people think that cutting operating costs (like reducing the size of the government or the free services people get) might make it harder to provide important services. OCC

• On the other hand, these big investments are meant to create jobs, boost the economy, and help Canada use its strengths in technology and resources. Budget Canada

Why This Budget?

• The government believes that investing now will pay off in the future: better infrastructure, more innovation, and a stronger economy. Budget Canada

• It is also responding to global challenges, like trade uncertainty and climate change, by building in “generational” (long-term) projects. Canada's Prime Minister+1

Tips for each team: 

1. Liberal Party (Governing Party)

• Wants to spend money on building things like roads, shipyards, Trains, clean energy, and new technology.

• Believes these investments will make Canada stronger in the future.

• Supports immigration to bring skilled workers to Canada.

• Is okay with borrowing money now if it helps the country grow.

2. Conservative Party

• Wants to reduce the deficit and spend less money overall.

• Believes the government should be careful with borrowing.

• Prefers lower taxes and wants to make sure spending is “value for money.”

• May suggest cutting or slowing some big projects.

3. New Democratic Party (NDP)

• Wants more money for people: housing, health care, workers, and families.

• Believes the government should tax big companies more.

• Supports help for low-income families and new social programs.

• Still supports building infrastructure but wants it to help communities directly.

5. Bloc Québécois

• Represents the interests of Québec.

• Wants more federal money for Québec’s services, culture, and language.

• Believes decisions about Québec should be made in Québec, not in Ottawa.

• Will support parts of the budget only if they clearly benefit Québec’s economy, workers, and communities.

What do you need to do? 

1) Research the position of your party in more detail so you know where it stands and what issues are important for your party. 

2) Prepare a 2 minute opening statement for your party. 

3) Come ready with points to stand up for the beliefs of your party. 

For Alex, Michael, Viana, Ella, Aryana & Nora: 

This week, I want you to focus only on the opening statement.  See the slides here to get direction.  

MODEL UN TOPIC FOR NEXT WEEK (NOV 27)

I am releasing this topic now as many of the kids have a swim competition this week so they have plenty of time to prepare when they are on the bus  :-) 

Debate Question:  How should countries share the cost of helping Sudan?

Judge: ELLA 

Background: 

• Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). (United Nations)
• This fighting has caused massive displacement — over 11 million people are internally displaced (this means they have fled their home and are living in another part of the same country) and millions more have fled to neighboring countries. (United Nations)
• The humanitarian situation is dire: more than 30 million people need aid, and the country is experiencing widespread hunger and famine conditions in some regions. (The United Nations Office at Geneva)
• Health systems have collapsed in many places, and disease outbreaks, including cholera, are spreading. (MSF UK) Key infrastructure — such as hospitals and markets — has been damaged or destroyed during the conflict.
• The United Nations has appealed for billions in aid to support the millions of civilians caught in the crisis. (The United Nations in Sudan)

Here are the countries: 

Canada (providing humanitarian aid)

• Michael 
• Ina (Leader) 
• Maddie

Chad (neighbouring low income country)

• Alex
• Aryana (Leader)
• Chiara

African Union (peace and stability partners)

• Naya 
• Chelsea (Leader)
  

India (rebuilding countries who have companies and skills to build roads, schools, houses etc) 

• Viana (Leader)
• Gabriel
• Nicholas

Here are some tips to prepare: 

Everyone:  

1. Find Sudan on the map and see which countries are near it. 
2. Do more research on the situation in Sudan and the impact it's had on people.  

Team Canada: 

Key Arguments:

1. Lives must be saved first - why should Canada prioritize life in Sudan versus somewhere else.
2. Countries should increase donations - specifically who? .
3. Aid should reach children and families quickly - How will Canada do that?.
4. Neutral humanitarian access should be protected - How will  Canada do that?
5. Can Canada afford it and what must Canadians in Canada sacrifice for it? 

Remember - Canada is giving a lot of money - so what does it expect from the others? Look at Corruption, fair treatment of workers, how to use this money to also create peace etc. 

Team Chad: 

Key Arguments:

• Chad needs money and supplies to host refugees safely.

• Chad faces pressure on housing, schools, and health care.

• Ask richer countries to share more responsibility.

• Want long-term solutions, not just emergency aid.

Remember - Chad is a poor country and has many refugees from Sudan (look up how many).  What does it need to continue to support them?  What do they need help with (be specific). 

Team African Union:

Key Arguments:

• Push for a ceasefire and negotiations between conflict groups.
• Encourage sanctions or pressure on groups blocking aid.
• Focus on long-term peacebuilding, not only short-term help.
• Suggest monitoring, peacekeepers, or neutral observers.

Remember - The African Union is like the UN or the EU - they don't have an army.  How will they bring about peace?  What do they think is needed before AU countries borrow money from rich countries to help Sudan? What is the role of AU in Sudan? 

Team India 

Key Arguments:

• Aid is important, but so is rebuilding the country.

• Invest in education, infrastructure, and clean water.

• Sudan should receive both emergency aid and development support.

• Encourage partnerships, loans, and development programs.

Remember - Why should countries like Canada give aid so that companies from India can  be employed to build roads, hospitals, schools etc.  What kind of development support can India provide?  If Sudan asks for a loan, who will give them a loan so they can pay India to build roads etc.  

Day 1: Welcome

Welcome to Junior Model UN, an exciting program we're thrilled to run again this year at TFS-West Campus! In this program, you'll embark on a fascinating journey to explore the world, engage in passionate debates on topics that pique your interest, and develop valuable skills along the way.

To get started, download the Handbook for the program and bring it with you to class. You will need it to keep track of all your debates and the countries you will represent.  

When preparing for your debate, a good start is to use this template. 

 All the documents and information you need will be shared here, so please bookmark this page. 

If you have any questions, please email us at hasina@explorerhop.com 

This blog will be updated for each class so please make sure to look at it.  

NOTE: There is no Model UN on Thursday September 18, 2025.