Commentary Canadians like a robust debate. It’s a healthy pastime reflected in our media and institutions, and spirited water cooler discussions (often about hockey) have long been part of work life. Two Canadian institutions that cover a broad spectrum of debate are the CBC Radio staple The Debaters, and the Munk Debates. The former pits two comics against each other on issues ranging from the profound to the mundane, while the latter hosts intellectual powerhouses who weigh in on important issues, ranging from the future of geopolitics to the merits of capitalism. While the Munk Debates demonstrate our reverence for the art of deliberation, The Debaters shows our admiration for think-on-your-feet wit. But it seems Canadians are losing both their sense of humour and their ability for serious discussion. The charade that politics has become and the fragility of public discourse due to “cancel culture” have us walking on eggshells. …