Karate competitions no longer illegal in Quebec

Karate competitions are no longer against the law in Quebec, after they were temporarily deemed illegal due to what was called a legal oversight. Those who practice the sport can get back to what they love to do.

“A big relief, not for us, but mostly for the kids who practice the sport,” says Danny Morin, part of Karate Quebec.

In Montreal North Chris Lemoyne-Elliot, a national and provincial team member, is one of the many relieved. “It’s a sport that taught me to grow as a person,” Lemoyne-Elliot explains.

Karate Quebec announced karate competitions were no longer legal due to “confusion in the interpretation and application of the Criminal Code”.

Karate was not on the Olympic program for the 2024 Paris Games, making the sport no longer able to have an Olympic exemption from the Criminal Code.

Without the exemption those involved in competitions and concerted combat would be considered part of prizefights to the risk of punishable offenses.

Karate athletes stretching at Centre d’excellence en Karate du Quebec (Photo Credit : Felisha Adam)

Something Lemoyne-Elliot describes as being “discouraging” in the advancement of their Karate career. The young athlete says they are trying to go as far as they can when it comes to representing Canada and showcasing what Karate really means.

After pressure from athletes, the province passed an order exempting the sport from section 83 (2) of the Criminal Code, allowing competitions to resume.

Karate athletes from the Centre d’excellence en Karate du Quebec (Photo Credit : Felisha Adam)

François Persico, the President of Centre d’excellence en Karate du Quebec, says the importance of competitions is more than just the fight “it gives them discipline. It forces them to schedule their day in terms of school training and being able to have a balanced life,”

“It’s really a passion,” says Lemoyne-Elliot and the sentiment is the same for the many other in Quebec, who are able to continue competing.