Provincial Combative Sports Commission
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association urge the provincial government to create a provincial commission to sanction combative sports events throughout the Province of Alberta.
WHEREAS there is public interest in the operation of, attendance at and participation in combative sports events in Alberta;
WHEREAS section 535.1 of the Municipal Government Act contemplates the establishment of a commission by bylaw for the sanctioning of combative sports;
WHEREAS several communities in Alberta have established commissions;
WHEREAS there appears to be little coordination or consistency amongst the existing commissions throughout Alberta;
WHEREAS there are inherent risks to the operation and regulation of combative sports events that warrant a more detailed and coordinated approach;
WHEREAS the regulation and sanctioning of combative sports is not a core local government function or service; and
WHEREAS other provinces in Canada have created commissions at the provincial level.
Council for the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo has received requests and statements of interest from the public, expressing desire to hold and attend combative sports events, such as mixed martial arts events. In response, municipal administration undertook significant research of this matter and notes that Nova Scotia, Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories all have a provincial/territorial sanctioning body in place. New Brunswick and Alberta have no provincial legislation in place, but do delegate authority to municipalities.
Alberta’s Municipal Government Act (MGA), specifically section 535.1, makes some provision for the establishment of a municipal combative sports commission through bylaw. At the present time, there are combative sports commissions in Edmonton, Calgary, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Grande Prairie, Cold Lake and Penhold. The bylaws in place vary significantly from one municipality to another, which means that there is no coordination or consistency in the regulation of events throughout the province.
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It is more appropriate for municipalities to make this determination at a local level through knowing the community and available resources. The response also indicated that these combative sports events should be guided by rules and standards for each particular sport that are developed and monitored by various provincial, national and international oversight bodies.
AUMA rejects this response.