Karate is no longer illegal: Quebec passes a decree

The Quebec government on Friday approved a decree allowing karate competitions, which had become illegal after the sport was excluded from the 2024 Olympics.

• Also Read: Is karate illegal in Quebec?

No longer an Olympic sport, karate came under the definition of prizefight under Section 83 of the Criminal Code. Therefore anyone who engages in fighting is liable to criminal charges. However, training is still possible.

With this decree, Quebec comes to “regulate the situation” and authorizes the resumption of amateur karate competitions.

“The IOC’s decision to withdraw karate from the Olympic program of the 2024 Games has created administrative and legal complications for aspiring athletes and their federations that are not justified,” said Isabelle Charest, Minister responsible for Sport, Recreation and Plein Air. This indicates that it is a priority file.

To solve the problem quickly, Karate Quebec worked with the Department of Leisure and Sports Safety of the Ministry of Education.

“We can now see much of the management framework for combat sports in Quebec,” said Ms. Charest added.

A management framework for all combat sports in Quebec will also be tabled in the winter of 2023 as it is in the works.