UNBC team second at JDC West The debate final pitted UNBC against a team from the University of Winnipeg.

A team of UNBC business students took home a second place prize over the weekend as a result of their display of debating prowess at the JDC West competition in Calgary.

JDC West is a yearly competition that draws as many as 600 business students together. The competition challenges students to work towards “becoming well-rounded business leaders,” according to its website. This year’s competition drew together business students from 12 universities throughout western Canada, and featured competitions in academics, debate, social, community involvement and athletics.

UNBC’s team of 52 students also took home the top prize for community involvement after raising $126,788 for local charities in Prince George. The team had won the same prize at last year’s competition.

The debate final pitted UNBC against a team from the University of Winnipeg. Both teams had been considered underdogs.

Reached by phone in Jasper as the team was travelling back to Prince George, Sydney Redpath, co-captain of the UNBC team, said the final was the most competitive in recent years.

UNBC’s team was asked to argue in favour of a government motion to restrict free speech in popular media and social media in order to stop the spread of far-right hate groups.

“Our team had kind of a difficult side to argue, but they handled themselves very well,” she said.

Redpath said the team was still awaiting results from other events. The winners will be announced in the coming weeks.