Professional sport in Canada is governed by both provincial and federal legislation, with more specific rules governing the sport’s conduct governed by the relevant sports bodies. Many professional leagues in Canada are cross-border, with teams from both the United States and Canada. Professional sports leagues must comply with the https://wylliespears.com/services/sports-law/ laws of each area in which they operate.
To what extent are participants immune from civil and criminal culpability for their activities on the field? In Canada, athletes are nonetheless held accountable for their on-field acts under both civil and criminal law. The nature of the physical contact between participants determines criminal culpability for on-field acts. Athletes who participate in contact sports are assumed to have impliedly consented to the game’s normal dangers. As a result, a physical blow incidental to the game will not be considered assault. A physical hit administered with the intent to cause injury, on the other hand, would normally fall outside the limits of implied consent and may qualify as assault. Athletes cannot implicitly consent to physical contact in non-contact sports.
What is the regulatory structure in your jurisdiction regarding doping issues? Is there a possibility of subsequent culpability under civil or criminal law for doping offenses?
Non-professional sports organizations in Canada follow the World Anti-Doping Agency’s international anti-doping policy, the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code). The Code is implemented by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport as part of the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP). National sports organizations are not obligated to embrace the CADP; nevertheless, in order to receive federal financing, an organization must adopt the CADP. If the CADP is implemented, it is incorporated into all of the organization’s agreements with individual athletes that bind the athletes to anti-doping rules.
Is there a prospect of eventual liability for doping offenses under civil or criminal law?
Non-professional sports organizations in Canada adhere to the World Anti-Doping Agency’s anti-doping policy, known as the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code). The Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport implements the Code as part of the Canadian Anti-Doping Program (CADP). National sports organizations are not required to adopt the CADP; but, in order to receive federal funding, an organization must do so. If the CADP is implemented, it will be incorporated into all of the organization’s anti-doping agreements with individual athletes.