On March 8, 2023, by way of an Order in Council (O.C.) 251-2023, the regulatory framework governing amateur combative sports within Quebec established the conditions under which certain combative sports are exempt from being classified as illegal prize fights under the Criminal Code of Canada.

Section 83 of the Criminal Code addresses the regulation of prize fights. Subsection 1 of this section criminalizes participation in, promotion of, or presence at a prize fight, defining it as an offense punishable by summary conviction. This provision aims to prevent illegal and unsafe combat activities. 

However, subsection 2 of section 83 provides exceptions for amateur combative sports, particularly those included in the International Olympic Committee or International Paralympic Committee programs, or those designated by the provincial lieutenant governor in council.

Olympic or Paralympic sports are exempt from the definition of a prize fight, provided they are conducted with the requisite provincial authorization, as well as other amateur combative sports if they are also officially designated exempt by the province’s lieutenant governor in council.

Furthermore, the Act respecting safety in sports (chapter S-3.1) mandates that all sports federations and unaffiliated sports bodies implement and adhere to safety regulations, which must be approved by the Minister Responsible for Sports, Recreation, and the Outdoors. This ensures that all sports activities are conducted under stringent safety standards.

O.C. 251-2023 addresses the necessity for clear designation of specific combative sports as exceptions to the prize fight prohibition. The order designates boxing, Greco-Roman wrestling, freestyle wrestling, judo, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and taekwondo as amateur combative sports not classified as prize fights. The designation is contingent upon these sports being organized by federations or unaffiliated sports bodies that comply with safety regulations approved by the Minister.

This order aims to support the practice of combative sports while upholding legal and safety standards. This measure ensures that recognized amateur sports can be conducted without falling under the restrictive classification of a prize fight, provided they adhere to established safety and regulatory requirements.

Quebec (OIC 251-2023), March 22, 2023