Prince Edward Island has become the latest Canadian Province to exercise their powers under s. 83 of the Criminal Code designating a list of amateur combat sports which are legal.
On September 23, 2014 PEI passed OIC 2014-553 which designates amateur Karate, Kickboxing, Grappling, Jiu Jitsu, Wushu, Kung Fu and Aikido as being outside the scope of the Criminal Code. Contests in these sports are allowed without any regulatory oversight with the exception of Karate and Kickboxing which need to be overseen by Karate PEI and Kickboxing PEI.
Amateur MMA remains illegal in the Province. The OIC does not address professional combat sports and the Province continues to consider whether they will legalize professional MMA. If they do so the Provincial commission would likely be given oversight of both professional and amateur MMA.
You can find the full OIC here: PEI Order In Council Legalizing Amateur Martial Arts
“Contests in these sports are allowed without any regulatory oversight with the exception of Karate and Kickboxing which need to be overseen by Karate PEI and Kickboxing PEI.”
Erik, is it implied that the martial arts without regulatory oversight are to one day form their respective provincial bodies and then become regulated and sanctioned by the province?
Phil, I don’t think that is implied. It could be that the Government will eventually require a PSO to oversee these sports but for the time being it is not necessary.