“As the world becomes more complex, black and white must be traded in for finer shades of nuance.” This principle lies at the heart of Ethics Bowl Canada, encouraging high school and CEGEP students to engage with difficult—even divisive—topics with nuance, intellectual openness, and mutual respect. In 2024, McGill hosted Canada’s first bilingual Ethics Bowl, and this year’s event—nearly doubling in size—welcomed fourteen teams: seven Francophone and seven Anglophone.
Sponsored by the Laidley Centre for Ethics and Equity, the Faculty of Arts, and the Department of Philosophy, this year’s cases explored ethical dilemmas in medicine, environmental responsibility, AI and misinformation, and social justice. After a full day of thoughtful discussion and rigorous competition, John Abbott College emerged victorious in the French tournament, while Lower Canada College claimed first place in the English event. Both teams will now represent Quebec at the National Championships in Winnipeg.
We are incredibly proud of all participants for their dedication, insight, and commitment to ethical inquiry. With the success of this year’s event, we anticipate even greater participation next year. Stay tuned for 2026 dates and registration details as the McGill Ethics Bowl continues to grow!
Special thanks to Jess Strachan for her help in organizing the event.