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

Challenging A Licensed MMA Referee: Can Judicial Review Provide a Remedy?

June 17, 2013

The first and foremost job of any referee is to ensure participant safety. It does not take a deep thinker to appreciate that carelessness in this vital role can lead to unneeded participant harm in the realm of combat sports.  This brings me to today’s topic, is there a useful legal avenue to challenge a … More Challenging A Licensed MMA Referee: Can Judicial Review Provide a Remedy?

What PED’s Are Out of Bounds for UFC 161?

June 12, 2013

The diverse landscape of MMA regulation makes for potentially interesting issues whenever the UFC dips their toes in a new jurisdiction.  With UFC 161 bringing the organization to Manitoba for the first time a question worth asking is which substances run afoul of Manitoba’s Combative Sports Commission? Article VIII of the UFC’s Fighter Contract requires … More What PED’s Are Out of Bounds for UFC 161?

Will Controversial “Downward Pointing Elbow Strikes” Be Legal at UFC 161?

June 10, 2013

 UFC 161 is in the hands of the Manitoba Combative Sports Commission making the event subject to Manitoba’s Boxing Regulation. As it presently reads, this regulation does not blindly adopt the Unified Rules but instead has its own list of fouls.  While there is nothing controversial about this, one well-established foul that is not adopted by Manitoba … More Will Controversial “Downward Pointing Elbow Strikes” Be Legal at UFC 161?

“Bill S-209 will make amateur combat sports illegal”

June 9, 2013

The fact that Bill S-209 creates issues on the Canadian amateur MMA/Combat Sports landscape is a reality. If you want proof you need look no further than the below e-mail from Bill Bennett, BC’s outgoing Minister of Sport, who confirms that, “Bill S-209 will make amateur combat sports illegal“. The good news is the BC … More “Bill S-209 will make amateur combat sports illegal”