Month: June 2013

Why the Manitoba Commission’s Silence is Golden When it Comes to Fighter Injury Details

June 28, 2013

Following UFC 161 the Manitoba Combative Sports Commission released the required information relating to fighter medical suspensions so these can be published at the Association of Boxing Commissions Official Certified Database for Mixed Martial Arts.  This is done to allow Athletic Commissions in other jurisdictions to find out whether a combatant intending to fight under their … More Why the Manitoba Commission’s Silence is Golden When it Comes to Fighter Injury Details

BC Commission Confirms Amateur Boxing, Taekwondo, Wrestling and Judo Presently Legal

June 27, 2013

As previously discussed, while there are a lot of amateur combat sports which are presently illegal in BC by operation of s. 83 of the Criminal Code, those amateur sports “on the programme of the International Olympic Committee or the International Paralympic Committee ” are currently legal.  These include Boxing, Taekwondo, Wresling and Judo. After bringing this … More BC Commission Confirms Amateur Boxing, Taekwondo, Wrestling and Judo Presently Legal

Breaking Down the Calgary Combative Sports Commission’s Authority To Regulate AMMA

June 26, 2013

Yes, once again here comes a lawyer to take all the fun out of things!  Today I will breakdown the legal authority (or lack thereof) of the Calgary Combative Sports Commission to regulate AMMA. AFC 20 is scheduled to take place in Calgary in July and three amateur bouts are reportedly taking place.   Given … More Breaking Down the Calgary Combative Sports Commission’s Authority To Regulate AMMA

Fort McMurray Passes Combative Sports Commission Bylaw

June 26, 2013

With Bill S-209 now in force the legislative floodgates are opening with regional governments passing laws addressing mixed martial arts and other combat sports.   Alberta’s Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (Fort McMurray) is the latest to enter the fray with the City Council having just passed a Combative Sports Commission Bylaw. The new bylaw … More Fort McMurray Passes Combative Sports Commission Bylaw

BC Government is “Actively Working” On Legislative Response to Bill S-209

June 25, 2013

A further legal change in BC Combat Sports law is expected shortly as a result of Bill S-209 making amateur combat sports illegal in BC.  Similar legislative shifts are likely also in the works throughout other Canadian jurisdictions.  The BC Government confirms, through the BC Athletic Commissioner, that they are “actively working” on a legislative … More BC Government is “Actively Working” On Legislative Response to Bill S-209

Can You Avoid Section 83 of the Criminal Code With “Exhibition Fights”

June 24, 2013

I’ve spent a lot of time discussing the now overhauled section 83 of the Canadian Criminal Code and the difficulties this creates for amateur MMA throughout Canada. Appreciating that the default, absent Provincial intervention, is that Amateur MMA is illegal in Canada, can a promoter get around this exception by hosting an “exhibition” fight? Probably … More Can You Avoid Section 83 of the Criminal Code With “Exhibition Fights”

The Law of Unintended Consequences – Amateur MMA Events now Illegal, Being Shut Down in Canada

June 21, 2013

When Bill S-209 first started making headlines last year it was clear that the wording of the legislation would leave a big legal gap which Provinces would be tasked with filling. As Bill S-209 slowly plodded through the Senate and Parliament, Provinces across Canada did little in anticipation of the law passing.  Now S-209 is in … More The Law of Unintended Consequences – Amateur MMA Events now Illegal, Being Shut Down in Canada

Bill S-209 Receives Royal Assent; Now Officially In Force

June 20, 2013

Bill S-209, which overhauled the Criminal Code to allow Provinces to give MMA a legal framework in Canada has now received Royal Assent.  This makes the new law now in force.  MP Bal Gosal issued the following comments: OTTAWA, June 20, 2013 /CNW/ – The Honourable Bal Gosal, Minister of State (Sport), today issued the following statement … More Bill S-209 Receives Royal Assent; Now Officially In Force