The Debaters - Is the best night out at the Legion? Should family obligations be optional?

Episode Date: October 8, 2026

Is the Legion hall the best place for a night on the town? Brittany Lyseng serves up the funny with her pro-Legion plea, but Ryan Williams believes there’s better places to party. Then, it’s Thanksgiving weekend and we’re asking: Should family obligations be optional? Emily Woods argues for freedom when it comes to family affairs, but Patrick Ledwell says these occasions are too special to miss. Featuring: Brittany Lyseng, Ryan Williams, Emily Woods, and Patrick Ledwell.

I've been staring at my offer letter for three days. The salary is exciting, but trying to understand terms like group matching and flexible spending, it feels like reading another language. Congrats on the job. That's huge. But yeah, entering a new workplace comes with a big learning curve. I just want to make sure I'm setting myself up right from day one. It feels like there's so much to figure out about how all of this works. We all feel a bit out of our depth when starting out.

When I made my last jump, I was totally trying to make sense of my new paycheck and my real-life expenses. Glad, it's not just me. It helps to know that everyone goes through this phase. For sure. Honestly, just bringing it up in the first place is half the battle. Landing the job is just the start of the journey. Want to hear how others are navigating the early careers? Check out Count Us In.

A web series where host Michelle Spina sits down with members of Gen Z to share real perspectives and experiences on money, and what comes next. Paid content with Desjardin. Now streaming on CBC Gem. This is a CBC podcast. Hey, Canada. We're not here to get a frosty reception from Regina Saskatchewan,

home of the Frost Winter Festival. It's the debater! It's the winner. Now here's a man who's snowman to dribble with. To the debaters, it is great to be back here in Saskatchewan. A land of... law and order.

Recently, the Saskatchewan RCMP released a list of this year's strangest 911 calls. And these are true. You gotta go look these up. Someone called because they were out of toilet paper. Called

the RCMP, which, to be fair, is an emergency. There was also a person who reported their roommate to 911 for cooking their pork job without permission. In my mind, the police responded to that one with, Freeze!

Drop the chop! Step away from the applesauce! Anyway, it's time to meet two debaters who always make the right call. This comic concluded that she buys way too many bulk store groceries after doing a cost-co benefit analysis. It's Calgary's Brittany Licing. Brittany Lysing, another of our favorites bounding across the stage. To my left.

Hello, Ski. Hi, welcome back. Thank you. And this comic once vacationed at a naturist resort, only to discover that everything old is nude again. It's Vancouver's Ryan Williams. Ryan Williams. Sauntering in to my right.

Hello, Steve. Hey, bud. This is going to be good. I think we're in the right place. Your topic debaters is one that never gets old. The Canadian Legion Hall is spending an evening at one the best night out? I'm not sure how many of our listeners know this, but in 2026, the first Legion established in Canada is celebrating its 100th birthday.

And it's right here in Regina. Legion, Regina's branch number one. We're number one. We're number one. Yeah. Time now for a debate that we hope. will gain legions of fans. So, whereas there are locations all over Canada that offer a respectful, affordable, and friendly

environment with a variety of events, be it resolved, the best night out is at a Legion Hall. Brittany, you are arguing for this, please. You have two minutes, starting now, Brittany Lysing! Hello, Steve. Hello, Ryan. Hello, hello, Regina. I can't tell you how incredibly grateful I am to be here in this big, beautiful theater,

but if I'm being honest with you, I'm a little uncomfortable. It's a little fancy for a gal like me. I'm a simple person, and for my money, there's no better place on earth than the Royal Canadian Legion. It's everything I've ever dreamt of. Cheap beer, wood panels lining the walls,

an over-served drywaller passed out in a pile of losing pole tabs? Where are we, heaven? Also, here's a fact you should know, and it has been scientifically proven. I've checked. You are never the ugly, girl at the Royal Canadian Legion. We should call it what it really

is, the Royal Canadian Confidence Builder. If you start feeling bad about yourself, head to the Legion. Take a lap, sweetheart. You're going to find some old broad leaning on a pool cue missing a few teeth. Gonna jack your self-esteem up to an 11,

I promise. Answer me this, Regina. Have you ever won the meat draw and met a mat on the same night? Left in an Uber with two sides of beef? What are we even doing here? Take me to the one place that has never let me down. Take me to the one place that has never let any of us down.

Take me to the Royal Canadian Legion. Let's go. Yeah. Brittany Licing. Yeah. Thank you, Brittany. Now, here to say that he's in for the law. Hall against Knights Out at Legion Halls. Let's hear from Ryan Williams.

The first Royal Canadian Legion branch designated as branch number one was established in Regina Saskatchewan, 1926. How did the first Legion come to be? Belgium, 1915, 171 tons of chlorine gas was released on the French and Canadian soldiers. Soldiers running like madmen, directionless, shouting for water, spitting blood, some rolling on the ground, making desperate efforts to breathe. Canadian George Naismith issued the order to use urine-soaked rags to counteract the gas. Returning Canadian soldiers from the First World War faced injuries, trauma, and limited support, veterans formed associations to advocate for care and benefit.

Many of these groups later merge to form the Canadian Legion. The horrors of the first chemical warfare attack and soldiers inhaling urine-soaked rags to escape death are not something I want to think about when I'm celebrating Becca's birthday. In Flanders fields, the poppies blow. In the ignition, Scott must blow because he got a DUI leaving a Legion.

Legions are great places for life. shows. Too bad! You're seeing a cover band. Pretend to be a war veteran, while a twice-divorced man with slightly more vocal range than RFK Jr. pretends to be Bond Scott, Axel Rose, and Gord Downey in the same set. Drinking in a Legion is like taking a pole dancing class in a church basement. It's good that this space is being used by the community, but there has to be a better Thank you. Ryan Williams says the Legion's not the best place.

All right. Time now for the bare-knuckle round. We're debating whether the best night out is spent at a Legion Hall. So be sure to bring your logger than life personalities. It's time to serve up some funny and pool your jokes as each of you darts around this subject. So let me draw you a picture. picture of what we're looking for in three, two, 100 years of Canadian Legion halls starting now.

Ryan, you have never, ever been to anybody named Becca's birthday. And you've never left the Legion with two sides of beef that weren't ground up beforehand. That's true. Brittany, you said Legion's great for self-esteem because you're never the ugliest girl there. That's what the ugliest girl there thought 20 years ago. One day we will all be toothless leaning on pool cues. Time comes for us all. Ryan, just you know, there still is urine-soaked rags at the Legion.

It's what keeps me coming back. Instead of bras, that's what they throw at the cover bands. I'm sorry, off topic, I have to reiterate, as an unsuccessful Canadian comedian, I can't stress how much I hate cover bands. BCDC, the British Columbia-based ACDC cover band, has outsold me in so many WHLT markets. I'm not, I need to reiterate. I'm not anti-Legion by grandfather, who I never met before he passed.

He was the head of the Legion in North Wales before he moved here. And with his wife, my grandmother, who I never met before she passed, she was a member of the Weyburn, Saskatchewan Legion, both of them were. I love Southern Saskatchewan. I have family in Redford. Stork, Stork, this is the big city to me. If you love Saskatchewan so much, spell it for the people.

Go ahead. Saskatchewan. S-A-S-S-S-Gatuan. Okay. All right. That was the bare-knuckle round, and then it merged into a spelling bee. It's time now for the firing line.

In my hand, I have a list of questions. on Legions being a great night out, brought to you by the Legion's signature logger. You won't want to dodge this draft. Get your noisemakers ready, please. Here we go. A CBC.CA article reports that a Calgary Legion continues to stay afloat by hosting punk rock shows,

pro wrestling shows, and even what type of competition? Brittany. Brett Hart Lookalike contest? Not even out of the realm of real. possibility in Calgary. One point. Ryan Williams. A hugest loser in Calgary competition.

Everyone enters it every year in Calgary and they all tie for first place. Nope. Good guess, though. It's a vaping competition. I don't even know what that means. I don't know what that means. How is there a vaping competition?

I was technically correct. That is the hugest loser. You know what? I will give you three quarters of a point. In 2012, Regina's Legion number one made headlines when, for the first time in decades, it was not open for New Year's Eve. Why?

Brittany. It exceeded the quota of cousins caught kissing in one night. Close for business. You know you're pro-legin, right? Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah. I didn't say it was a bad thing, Steve. No, it was closed for ongoing renovations. This is our question.

It's from 2012. Typically, non-members must do what if they want to drink at a Legion? Brittany. Punch an innocent bystander? No, Britney. Oh, I'm sorry. My mistake?

Incorrect. Ryan Williams. Not comment on the law. portrait of Prince Albert that's still up. Non-members must sign in as a guest to drink at the Ligier. Probably not going to be the real names, just so you know.

Dirk Diggler was here last Thursday. And that is the firing line, everybody. All right, we're coming down the home stretch here at the Regina Performing Arts Center, and it's almost time for our audience to place their votes. But first, here again to say, you're going to make me hang out at the Legion Yeah, you and what army?

Let's hear from Ryan Williams. I know the big city elites of Regina might get their kicks cosplay as blue-collar folks at the Legion, but it neglects the best option for a night out. The small town, Saskatchewan bar, no bickering board of directors, no having to remove your hat to expose your hairline, which should be between you, your barber, and God.

The only bloody memories you'll be thinking of is what's that stain on the carpet? Trade the rifles for plastic guns attached to a buck hunter machine. A small town Saskatchewan bar is a superior night out. Thank you, Regina. Ryan Williams, not only closing out this debate, but actually a pretty good point for another debate

about small town, Saskatchewan. and bars. Thank you, Ryan. Now, here to tell us why among countless fun activities, Legion is her go-to crib to play crib at. Let's hear from Brittany Lising. Ryan, Ryan, Ryan, Ryan. These dusty old buildings aren't just dusty old buildings. They're the heart of our communities. Dare I ask, are you even Canadian if you don't support the Royal Canadian Legion? Join me in a toast. Here's to cheat beer. So what if the lines are dirty?

Here's to the only place you can throw up and just keep dancing. And you know what? As the woman here is to no hats, because frankly, I don't think men should be allowed to lie to women about their hair lines any longer. And here's to the place that we have left that says we don't need to be fancy to build community. We just need to have a...

raffle of meat once a week. Come for the meat draw Canada, stay for the unconditional love. Let's go. Brittany Licing making an argument on behalf of Leitons that really kind of told it like it is.

And with the price of meat these days, that alone could win it. Thank you, Brittany. All right. Audience, it is up to you. We're trying a time to vote. By applause. Who loved how Brittany soldiered on, fought the good fight, and thought she ended up Victoria. Brittany Lysing. And who agreed with Ryan?

Anyone who insists on enlisting you to spend an evening at the Legion should be given their marching orders, Ryan Williams. Okay, all right. It was very close. There was good support on one side. There's a lot of support from a young man in the front, so he's, that's your guy, Ryan. But I gotta give this one to Brittany Lysing.

Go to your local Legion, everybody. Big hands for Britney Lysing and Ryan Williams. Hey debaters listeners, we've got more facts and funny coming your way. But while you're here, why not drop us a five-star rating or review? It really helps new listeners find us. Thanks for your support. I almost bailed on brunch this morning. I opened my banking app before leaving,

saw a few unexpected expenses, and just felt that instant wave of stress. I hear you. Money stress is real and it's exhausting when it feels never-ending. Yeah. It feels like every time. time I get a handle on things, three unexpected bills hit it once. I'm just trying to get to a point where managing money doesn't feel so overwhelming. Honestly, just being open about it helps

take away some of that pressure. You're definitely not alone in feeling that way. Thanks. It really does help to just talk it through and hear how other people are handling it. Money is a big part of life, but you don't have to navigate the conversation alone. If you're looking for real stories, an open dialogue, check out, Count Us In. A web series where host Michelle Spina sits down with members of Gen Z to share real perspectives and experiences on money, life, and what comes next.

Paid content with Desjardé. Now streaming on CBC Gem. This ascent isn't for everyone. You need grit to climb this high this often. You've got to be an underdog that always over-delivers. You've got to be 6,500 hospital staff 1,000 doctors all doing so much with so little. You've got to be Scarborough.

Defined by our uphill battle and always striving towards new heights. And you can help us keep climbing. Donate at lovescarbro.cairbo.ca. Hey Regina, I have just one question. Are you ready to meet your next pair of debaters? Listen to that, Canada. This comic doesn't think of her pet octopus as a friend so much as a comrade in arms.

It's Vancouver's Emily Woods, making her way to my left. Hi, Steve. Hi, Emily. Welcome back. Thank you. And this comic's quest to find the cheapest gas turned into a game of Follow the Leader. It's P.E.I's Patrick Ledwell.

Patrick Ledwell, the tallest drink of water from Prince Edward Island. Today, Steve. Hey, buddy. Welcome back. All right, debaters, your topic is one that you're required to attend. Family obligations. Should they be optional? If you're not sure what we mean by family obligations, let me explain.

When you go to an artistic swimming tournament and sit through 18 different swim routines because your daughter's team swims 19th? That's a family obligation. Buying your distant cousin you've only met twice, a wedding gift? That's a family obligation. Collecting money on a gambling debt. That's a different kind of family obligation. Time now for a debate.

It's our offer that you can't refuse. So, whereas the lists of celebrations, functions, and responsibilities seem to only get longer and longer, be it resolved, family obligations should be optional. Emily, you are arguing for this, please. You have two minutes. Starting now, Emily Woods. Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthdays, wedding, Easter, family day, baby showers,

Father's Day, funerals. These are made-up events for cowards who are too lazy to call their mom weekly. Attend one obligation a year, and it better be a good one. Easter, we get it. Jesus came back. Uncle Ron's third wedding that both his previous wives will be attending, let's see

that man be crucified. Thanksgiving? Who's that for? It's the one time of year I have to eat a revolting, made-up dish called carrot puff. It's baby food pretending to be for adults,

and it's my grandmother's favorite cuisine. The only Thanksgiving I have fond memories of is the year Grandpa dropped the carrot puff, shattering the dish across the tile floor, and we all loudly cheered. The very first time my waspy family truly got to express how we felt

because we had been trapped in what we thought was an obligation. It's an obligation to attend Thanksgiving. It's an obligation to eat carrot puff, and it's an obligation to say, yummy, thank you. I love it. Yes, I love my grandmother, but I hate carrot puff. I still want to see her, but on my terms,

when it works for my schedule, and I can eat whatever I want. And also, God forbid, one day I am lucky enough to have in-laws. I'm good. That's your family, not mine. Lovers' family and taste whatever their grandma's version of carrot puff is. Thank you. Yes. When you said in-laws don't count as real family,

the crowd here was like, that's a loophole that I'm going to explore. Emily Woods, everybody. Thank you, Emily. Now, here to deliver his mandate on why family obligations should, nay, must be mandatory. Let's hear from Patrick Ledwell.

Thank you. I've come to Regina, Saskatchewan, from an island so tiny and far away, it's almost fictional. Do you know how many commitments I'm missing to be here? To tell you that family obligations are not optional? I contradict my entire argument. But the message is too important.

Family is inevitable. Sure, Emily. Flake out on a family get. together, enjoy your little bursts of endorphins. You can't run forever. For example, I was obliged to take my son in a pack of 12-year-old boys as a birthday party to see Spider-Man, no way home.

The whole way there in the car, these raccoons discussed the riveting topic of who poops at school? It's an interesting lens in the world. Within five minutes in the theater, A couple boys said their 3D glasses were blurry. I tried them on. And yeah, for sure, the glasses were 100% covered with golden topping.

Yes, in that moment, I feel my life dripping away. But I believe this parody mix of mundane and insane is the stuff we need to eat to keep a lasting connection with others. Emily, I know it's a lot to go to Grandma's birthday. where you can be triggered by a cake with gluten and an afternoon event that starts at an agreed upon time. How could Grandma understand what you go through? Grandma, with her, woe is me, generation of a great depression,

and growing up churning butter, then World War, then still somehow carrying a milk bucket of genomes to make you, What up, Buttercup? Get to Grandma's birthday and pour some golden topping on that carrot puff and choke something back before she's gone. Thank you very much. Patrick Ledwell, ladies and gentlemen,

we got ourselves a debate and it's time now for the bare-knuckle round. We're debating whether family obligations should be optional. So, since dysfunctions as a funny debate, there'll probably be lots of thanks-given If you bring your opponent to their niece, try to make them say uncle.

Please use proper grandma. Cousin case you forgot, CBC listeners think lazy language is faux pa. Let's go, kids. Starting now. I'm Patrick, I'm a good dad. I show up for my children. Interesting. Must be nice.

Yeah, yeah. At least I did the only job I stuck around. That's all you have to do. You just hang around, you drive the kid to the rural birthday party and just sit there like a deflating balloon. You give up your dreams and you take on some commitments. I mean, Emily, you're fun, but I wouldn't leave a canary with you for the weekend.

I mean... Listen, family is not an obligation. Let me tell you that. I've been estranged from my biological father since I was 15 years old, okay? When my family obligations got cut in half, life got way easier. Sure, I was 13 without a dad,

but that meant I didn't have to go to weird Father's Day gatherings, where I'd pretend he was a good dad, and my mom would send me with a barbecue tool set from Canadian tire to buy for the man that she hates to thank for being a good dad. At least somebody got to new, barbecue tools. You need

people around to be with you throughout the life cycle, Emily. You know, your cat isn't going to eventually bury you and go to your funeral. Where I'm from, funerals and wakes

shape people's lives. They'd be directionless without wakes to go to. One day, there were no obituaries in the paper, and people were gobsmacked. They were like, what are we going to do today? Okay, that's a good place to stop it.

That's the bear ducal round. We're debating family obligations, and it's time now for the firing line. In my hand, I have a list of questions on family obligations, brought to you by the Weston family. The Weston family, obligated to overcharging Canadian families

since 1953. I got the bread money. Did you? Yes, there you go. Well, then we're even. Um, finish this advice from Dear Abby on whether or not to skip family functions. Consider doing what I have observed politicians doing,

which is what? Patrick. Leaving your family dating Katie Perry. One point. Emily Woods. Stage an assassination attempt so we can all go home early. A lot of support in this audience for that.

Two points. No, Dear Abby says you should consider doing what I have observed politicians doing, making an appearance at these gatherings, and then leaving early. Which is basically kind of what you said. So I'm going to give you an official point. That's one official point.

That one's real. That's a real point. Self.com's list of four things to do after an incredibly draining family visit are have some downtime, journal, treat yourself, and what else? Patrick Ledwell? I gather all your guilt right up in your chest, and that's as far as I ever get.

Let it go, buddy. Patrick, let it go, buddy. Let it go, buddy. Let it go. No, self.com's four things to do after an incredibly draining family visit. Have some downtime, journal, treat yourself, and reestablish your own. your routines, including not calling your family, I imagine. NextDrive.com says a good

rule of thumb for whether or not you should attend a wedding is to ask yourself what question? Emily. Is there an open bar? Patrick. Ask yourself, do I remember proposing to this person? Three points.

You know what? The actual answer is, do I have my own personal relationship with the bride or groom? So that's kind of right. That was kind of right when it said. That is the firing line, everybody. We are cruising right along. And it's almost that magical time when our Regina Performing Arts Center audience votes. But first, here again to remind us that the world of family obligations is truly run by those who show up.

Let's hear from the guy who's right here himself, Patrick Ledwell. Thank you very much. Yes, I've wasted many Sundays watching my nephews open birthday cards, shaking them for money, tossing their grandparents' handwritten message, saying, can't read connected writing. Terrible. I look at my family team and think,

there's not a win anywhere in sight. Well, the Saskatchewan Rough Riders won the gray copy, in 1966, then not again until 1989. In the CFL! Did you stop showing up during this endless

rough ride? No, because that's when Ryder family needed your footsteps the most through the cold, bare chests painted green, because shirt's optional. That's the only optional thing.

That's why you outlasted all other CFL teams also called Rough Riders, keeping the obligation to show up, especially when there is no win and no point. Now that's what I call a true Canadian family. Thank you, Saskatchewan. Yeah, Patrick Ledwell. Yeah, there's a guy who knows where he is. Patrick Ledwell.

Thank you, Patrick. Now, when it comes to family obligations, she's here to say, show up, she'd rather throw up. Her words, not mine. It's Emily Woods. Well, there goes all my rough riders material. Listen, if you want to see me, I want it to be because you want to see me.

I don't want to go to a family obligation. I want to go to a family we like Emily and miss her and want to hang out. I'm not telling you to estrange yourself from your teenage daughter for 15 years. I'm saying, show up at grandma's house randomly on a beautiful day. Take her out to a happy hour.

Stop making plans you're dreading and start showing up because you want to. As someone who's been estranged for that long, I can confidently say, you don't have to go. If my biological father could decide that family obligatory, should be optional, you can too.

Thank you. Emily Woods. One of the stranger tributes I've ever heard to a father on this show. I really hope he listens to this episode. How old is he? I don't know. All right. It is up to you to decide, Regina.

By applause, who agrees with Emily that if your only option is an obligation, she doesn't like her options. Emily Woods. And how many of people agree with Patrick when he says if Emily would rather throw up than show up, then she should grow up? Patrick Ledwell! Keep your family obligations, everybody. Big hand for Patrick Ledwell and Emily Woods. Well, that's all for this week.

I'm Steve Patterson saying if you're getting together with your family soon, don't forget to bring the gambling money. I'll argue with you again soon, Canada. Good night. The debaters is created by Richard Side. This week's episode was produced by Nicole Callender, Chloe Edbrook, Dean Jenkinson, and Graham Clark. With continuity by Graham Clark, Diana Francis, and Gary Jones. Technical production by James Pirella and Emma Kramer Roger. Story editing by Gary Jones.

With special thanks to Katie Ellen Humphreys, David Pride, and Emily Ferrier. Executive producer of CBC Radio Comedy is Lee Pitts. And thanks to everyone at the Regina Performing Arts Center. For more CBC podcasts, go to cBC.ca slash podcasts.