In Canada the Criminal Code makes all ‘prize fights’ (a broadly defined term that can even capture light contact and grappling events) illegal by default except amateur combat sports that are “on the programme of the International Olympic Committee or the International Paralympic Committee“ The Criminal Code then gives individual Provinces the ability to change … More BC Overhauls Combat Sports Regulation
In 2019 Ontario passed a new Combative Sports Act into law. The legislation allows the overhaul of how combat sports are regulated in the Province. The law, however, has yet to come into force which will happen “on a day to be named by proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor“. Despite this very long passage of time it … More Ontario Announces New “Combat Sports Advisory Council”
A profound spinal cord injury and a profound brain injury. Two tragic outcomes in the combat sports community in recent weeks. This week Leah McCourt shared that MMA fighter Ryan Curtis suffered a severe spinal cord injury in training. In addition to the spinal cord injury he suffered “a broken back, broken neck and dislocated spine”. A … More Combat Sports Struck With Two Tragedies in Recent Weeks
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”.
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
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
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
(Image via Wikimedia) The BC Athletic Commissioner has now set out the rules for Amateur Muay Thai contests in British Columbia. Further to the powers given to the Commissioner via section 2(2) of Order in Council 2013-342, the Commissioner has adopted, on a provisional basis, the Association of Boxing Commissions Unified Rules and Guidelines for … More BC Athletic Commission Sets Rules For Amateur Muay Thai; Kickboxing Rules Still in Progress
Combat Sports Law 