#CBCAsks debate: Is politics broken?

CBC News hosted a live event Wednesday asking: Is politics broken?

CBC chief correspondent Peter Mansbridge moderated the event at the Canadian Broadcasting Centre in Toronto. Canadians joined the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #CBCAsks.

The event was designed to engage Canadians in conversations about politics and democracy leading up to the 2015 federal election.

• CBC Asks: Yes, politics is broken
• CBC Asks: No, it's not
• Many Canadians distrustful of federal politics, poll indicates

On stage, two teams debated this statement: "The political process is no longer the most effective way to enact real change."

Debaters included:

• Sheila Copps, former Liberal MP and author.
• Andrew Coyne, editorials and comment editor at the National Post, and a columnist for Postmedia News.
• Alison Loat, an author, university instructor, and co-founder of Samara.
• Dave Meslin, a writer, community organizer and trainer.
• ​Aisha Moodie-Mills, an American progressive strategist, policy analyst, and social entrepreneur.
• Monte Solberg, a former Conservative MP, and a columnist and adviser.

Loat, Meslin and Coyne argued for 'Team Yes' against Moodie-Mills, Solberg and Copps who made their case for 'Team No' in a lively debate.

Steve Patterson, host of CBC Radio's The Debaters, was the master of ceremonies for the evening's events. People were asked to vote to see which side would come out on top. 

In the end, 76 per cent of the audience said our political system is broken, roundly beating out those who said the system works.