Category: BC Athletic Commissioner Act

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

Now That We’re Done Celebrating Bill S-209, Time to Get To Work

June 6, 2013

There was much celebration in the Canadian MMA Community yesterday with the passing of Bill S-209.  Now that MMA has a legal framework in Canada it is time for stakeholders to get to work with Provincial politicians. As discussed yesterday, Bill S-209 does not in and of itself make MMA legal across Canada, it allows … More Now That We’re Done Celebrating Bill S-209, Time to Get To Work

There’s a New Sheriff in Town for BC Mixed Martial Arts

May 30, 2013

(Image via BC Government’s Flickr Page) There is now official confirmation that BC’s first Athletic Commissioner is Dave Maedel.  You can click here to read about his background. Maedel, who recently served as the Chief Sheriff of BC Sheriff Services, is now the first acting BC Athletic Commissioner.  With his formal powers coming into force … More There’s a New Sheriff in Town for BC Mixed Martial Arts

Would Pat Healy Still Have His Money if UFC 159 Occurred in British Columbia?

May 18, 2013

OK, with BC’s new legislative framework in place regulating professional MMA and with Marc Ratner’s confirmation that BC is back on the UFC’s map its time to have some fun with hypotheticals. What if Pat Healy’s failed marijuana drug test following UFC 159 occurred under BC’s new regime? For those of you that don’t know the story, following his last … More Would Pat Healy Still Have His Money if UFC 159 Occurred in British Columbia?

“Ladies and Gentlemen, It’s Time!” BC’s Athletic Commission Coming Into Focus

May 15, 2013

At the end of the month BC’s Athletic Commissioner Act will be in force.  Once in force all “professional” MMA and Boxing Events in BC will be regulated by the provincial commission with Vancouver and other local governments being given the ability to outlaw the sport with the passing of local bylaws. BC’s First Athletic … More “Ladies and Gentlemen, It’s Time!” BC’s Athletic Commission Coming Into Focus

BC’s Athletic Commissioner Act Comes Into Force on May 30

April 12, 2013

The BC Government has just published a press release setting a date for the Athletic Commissioner Act to come into force as of May 30, 2013.  The Regulations still appear to be a work in progress.  The gap for kickboxing referenced at the end of the press release is an unfortunate one and hopefully the act will … More BC’s Athletic Commissioner Act Comes Into Force on May 30

BC’s Athletic Commission Regulations Expected to be “Established Soon”

February 27, 2013

Last Summer British Columbia passed the Athletic Commissioner Act which will create a commission to regulate “professional” MMA and other combat sports on a Province wide basis.  Despite this there is still little certainty about exactly how professional contests will be regulated in BC because the Athletic Commissioner Act Regulations have not yet been passed. The Regulations … More BC’s Athletic Commission Regulations Expected to be “Established Soon”

BC Government Sets Up Training Course for MMA Judges

November 7, 2012

Today the BC Government issued a press release announcing a COMMAND training course being set up in BC with a view towards the eventual certification of MMA judges under the Athletic Commissioner Act. As previously discussed, this legislation will regulate promoters, fighters and officials for professional MMA contests.  The regulations under this legislation are still being worked out but … More BC Government Sets Up Training Course for MMA Judges

BC Cabinet Shuffle Results in New Minister of Sport

September 6, 2012

With the recent introduction of BC’s Athletic Commissioner Act the BC Government needs to create a Province Wide Athletic Commissioner to regulate “professional contests or exhibitions” . Yesterday the BC Government announced a cabinet shuffle appointing Kootenay East MLA Bill Bennett as the Province’s new Minister of Sport.  BC’s Athletic Commission will now fall on Mr. Bennett’s watch.   I will continue … More BC Cabinet Shuffle Results in New Minister of Sport

The “Intended Foul” Dilemma: Should the Unified Rules of MMA Specifically Address These?

July 10, 2012

(Update July 11, 2012 – the reports of the intended appeal have now been refuted by Chael Sonnen.  The below potential dilemma, however, still is one that can and ought to be remedied) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Yesterday Canada’s The Score reported that Chael Sonnen has “started the process to file an appeal with Keith Kizer and the … More The “Intended Foul” Dilemma: Should the Unified Rules of MMA Specifically Address These?