City Council has passed its Combative Sports Commission Bylaw, which will open the door for Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) events to be held in the future.
It was approved by an 8-1 margin, which means that a new commission can be formed to sanction the events.
Mayor Melissa Blake says she heard from the community loud and clear
“The lack of opposition in the room is an indicator that the folks that are most keenly interested are usually the ones you’re going to hear from, but not to have a keen opposition is unique.”
Councillor Allan Vinni was the only one to vote against it.
He says he can’t get behind what he calls prize fighting.
“My vision is for society that does not require a bloodsport,” he continues, ” maybe I’m wrong, maybe we always will, but I believe in evolution to a place where we do not intentionally hurt each other regardless of how we justify it.”
Blake says even though it’s passed, there are still some logistics to figure out.
“One of the things that’s included in the bylaw is that they cant start hosting events until they have an established budget and established rules, and so those are 2 criteria before it can actually happen that have to be met.”
Council also voted to submit a resolution to the Province, that suggests the need for a Provincial commission.
It’s a divided issue, as MMA events are still illegal in Saskatchewan, PEI, and Newfoundland.
But Ontario, Manitoba, BC, Nova Scotia, and Quebec all leave the sanctions up to the provincial government.
-Evan Cooke
June 26th, 2013
