This past weekend the Canadian Amateur Mixed Martial Arts National Championships (an event affiliated with the IMMAF) took place in Ontario and the Province, apparently aware of the well publicized event, appears content to look the other way instead of passing appropriate laws to allow such events to be hosted in compliance with the Criminal Code. The promoter has now uploaded a number of the matches on YouTube:
Apparently Ontario is doing little more than “reviewing” the situation but seem slow in making any legal changes.
As previously discussed, there currently is no legal framework in place for amateur MMA events to take place in Ontario in compliance with section 83 of the Criminal Code. I will repeat myself in stating that if the Government is looking the other way because they are now ok with amateur MMA they are going about it the wrong way. There is no reason why amateur MMA can’t be legalized in Ontario and the Government can choose to follow either the BC Model, the Saskatchewan Model or carve their own path. Until this is done those that participate in the sport are taking a gamble as to whether the authorities will seek to enforce the letter of the law. If you are a stakeholder in the Ontario MMA Community you should contact Craig Stewart, Manager of Sport and Recreation, at 416-326-4370 and make your voice heard.
Combat Sports Law 
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