Category: Bill S-209

Senator Runciman: View that Pro Kickboxing Can’t Be Legal “Defies Logic”.

April 9, 2014

Last year I highlighted BC’s position that professional kickboxing and muay thai events are not allowed under the updated Section 83 of the Criminal Code.  The Senator that drafted the law responded disagreeing with the Province’s narrow interpretation of the law. Senator Runciman has since taken a stronger stance stating that BC’s interpretation of the law he … More Senator Runciman: View that Pro Kickboxing Can’t Be Legal “Defies Logic”.

Drafter of Bill S-209 Disagrees With BC’s Narrow Interpretation of the Law

October 30, 2013

Earlier this month I highlighted BC’s stance that professional kickboxing and muay thai events are not allowed under the updated Section 83 of the Criminal Code. BC interprets the ability of the Province to regulate pro MMA as excluding the sport’s component parts.  If this interpretation is correct than all of the competent sports that … More Drafter of Bill S-209 Disagrees With BC’s Narrow Interpretation of the Law

Why Pro Kickboxing / Muay Thai are Illegal in BC and What Can Be Done About It

October 25, 2013

Whether professional kickboxing and Muay Thai events can legally be sanctioned in Canada is debatable due to the present wording of Section 83 of the Criminal Code. As previously discussed, British Columbia has taken a very restrictive interpretation of section 83 and deem these sports illegal in the Province.   I reached out to BC’s … More Why Pro Kickboxing / Muay Thai are Illegal in BC and What Can Be Done About It

Professional Muay Thai and Kickboxing Will Remain Illegal in BC

September 26, 2013

When it comes to “Professional” combat sports, Section 83 of the Criminal Code makes them all illegal except a “boxing contest or mixed martial arts contest held in a province with the permission or under the authority of an athletic board, commission or similar body established by or under the authority of the province’s legislature … More Professional Muay Thai and Kickboxing Will Remain Illegal in BC

Victoria MP Murray Rankin Cautions BC Government About Regulating Amateur Boxing and Wrestling

July 17, 2013

As recently reported, it is rumored that the BC Government is considering regulating amateur boxing along with other combat sports on the programme of the IOC.   Not all stakeholders are pleased with this development.  Canadian Member of Parliament Murray Rankin is among those. Murray recently cautioned BC’s Minister of Sport about their rumored plans. … More Victoria MP Murray Rankin Cautions BC Government About Regulating Amateur Boxing and Wrestling

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

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

And The Yeas Have It! MMA Given Legal Framework in Canada

June 5, 2013

Canadians have embraced Mixed Martial Arts since the Sport’s inception.  Despite this MMA has always been illegal in Canada.  The long road to legalization is nearing an end with Bill S-209 now passing Third Reading in Parliament with a vote of 267-9 allowing for a legal framework for both professional and amateur MMA along with other … More And The Yeas Have It! MMA Given Legal Framework in Canada

Pat Reid Voices Concerns that Bill S-209 Leaves Other Martial Arts in the Dark

May 24, 2013

I have been vocal in my support that while amending the Criminal Code to allow a legal framework for MMA in Canada is a good thing, Bill S-209 is not without its flaws.  Specifically it will make many amateur martial arts contests such as Karate and potentially even wrestling illegal by default unless Provinces act. … More Pat Reid Voices Concerns that Bill S-209 Leaves Other Martial Arts in the Dark