This debate is set in the lead-up to a 2028 U.S. presidential election in which the Democratic Party must select its nominee. Both Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) and Gavin Newsom are eligible and viable candidates seeking the Democratic nomination. AOC represents the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, often associated with policies such as Medicare for All, the Green New Deal, tuition-free public college, and stronger labor protections. Newsom is generally seen as a more establishment or mainstream Democrat, with executive experience as Governor of California and a record of implementing progressive policies, while also appearing on right wing media

“Main character syndrome” refers to a cultural trend where individuals increasingly frame their lives around personal narrative, visibility, and self-prioritization, often amplified by social media.

Education is under provincial jurisdiction in Canada; Ontario determines funding for its public universities. The Ontario Progressive Conservative government has emphasized fiscal restraint and aligning education with labour-market needs. Ontario has expanded performance-based funding, tying part of university funding to metrics like graduate employment rates and earnings. Some arts and humanities programs tend to show lower short-term employment and income outcomes compared to fields like engineering or health sciences.

For the purposes of this debate, Western aid organizations refer broadly to development institutions and governments based in North America and Western Europe that provide financial or technical assistance to African states. “Anti-corruption standards” refers to demonstrated performance on indicators such as transparency in public spending, enforcement of anti-bribery laws, independent oversight institutions, and measurable reductions in corruption perception or verified corruption cases, rather than eliminating corruption entirely.

Alto is a proposed high-speed rail project in Canada intended to connect major cities in the Quebec–Windsor corridor, including Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City. The project is being developed by Alto (formerly VIA HFR), a federal Crown corporation established to oversee its planning and implementation. Current proposals allow for private-sector participation in financing, construction, and/or operation through public-private partnerships (P3s)

The World Trade Organization (WTO) regulates international trade rules between countries and has the power to resolve trade disputes and authorize trade sanctions. Currently, the WTO does not regulate or enforce labour standards such as minimum wages, working conditions, child labour, or union rights. Labour standards are instead primarily addressed by the International Labour Organization (ILO), which sets conventions and guidelines but lacks strong enforcement powers.

Gemini is a fictional world where everyone is born with two bodies, one male and one female, which grow simultaneously and can only be inhabited by its owner. A person may switch freely between them but can only inhabit one body at any given time. On their 20th birthday, the currently uninhabited body will permanently disintegrate.
For the purpose of this debate, Gemini’s effects only apply to those born within the realm of Gemini and society always treats both bodies as fundamentally the same individual.