The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) just approved the following motion as brought forward by the British Columbia Medical Association (BCMA): “The Canadian Medical Association advocates for a ban on Mixed Martial Arts prize fighting matches in Canada.”
The motion was supported by 84% of the assembly. 15% abstained and 1% voted against the motion.
Prior to this vote, a motion to refer the motion to the Board was defeated by 62% of the assembly.
Check out my personal Blog for more details on this story and a history of the proposed ban.
Today Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) was sanctioned in the City of Vancouver, BC by a vote of 6 to 3.
Two unsuccessful attempts at sanctioning in 2007 and again March 2009 clearly showed there was a need for education on what MMA is and is not.
With that in mind, for almost the last year, Dave.ca Communications has been working with politicians, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) promotions, media and other stake holders to bring MMA to Vancouver. Education through the use of medical studies; comparisons of injury rates with other sports; positive media appearances; and showing politicians how this could economically benefit their jurisdictions lead to today’s successful passing.
I want to highlight three politicians who went stuck their necks out and gave support to the MMA community. From the City of Vancouver, Councillor Suzanne Anton; British Columbia’s Attorney General Mike de Jong; and Federal Member of Parliament and Canadian Heritage Minister, James Moore who actually spoke today and clarified many misconceptions on the legality of MMA in Canada.
I will continue to update this post in the coming days with links to reports, media appearances, etc. For now here are some resources for you.
Vancouver Athletic Commission Waiver Form for MMA participants
MMA Report from the City of Vancouver - July 2009 Ipsos Ried poll on popularity of MMA
Sports Concussion Report from the University of North Carolina
Journal of Sports Science and Medicine Report on Indicence of Injury in Professional Mixed Martial Arts Competitions
Dave.ca Blog Post – The Latest on MMA in Vancouver – September 18, 2009
Radio appearance on The Christy Clark Show on CKNW in Vancouver, BC – December 17, 2009
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Radio appearance on Jacked in with Jessica on AM 1150 in Kelowna, BC – December 17, 2009
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- Title
- Dave.ca Supporting MMA
- Runtime
- 10:39
- Views
- 69
- Description
- Dave.ca Communications Inc. owner Dave Teixeira speaking in favour of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sanctioning in the City of Vancouver at the December 17, 2009 Vancouver City Council Meeting. The vote passed to allow MMA by 6 to 3.
- Title
- UFC Speaking in Favour of MMA Part 1 of 3
- Runtime
- 10:57
- Views
- 525
- Description
- UFC representatives Lawrence Epstein and Michael Mersch speaking in favour of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sanctioning in the City of Vancouver at the December 17, 2009 Vancouver City Council Meeting. The vote passed to allow MMA by 6 to 3.
- Title
- UFC Speaking in Favour of MMA Part 2 of 3
- Runtime
- 10:38
- Views
- 314
- Description
- UFC representatives Lawrence Epstein and Michael Mersch speaking in favour of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sanctioning in the City of Vancouver at the December 17, 2009 Vancouver City Council Meeting. The vote passed to allow MMA by 6 to 3.
- Title
- UFC Speaking in Favour of MMA Part 3 of 3
- Runtime
- 10:20
- Views
- 739
- Description
- UFC representatives Lawrence Epstein and Michael Mersch speaking in favour of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sanctioning in the City of Vancouver at the December 17, 2009 Vancouver City Council Meeting. The vote passed to allow MMA by 6 to 3.
- Title
- MP James Moore Speaks in Favour of MMA Part 1 of 2
- Runtime
- 4:53
- Views
- 131
- Description
- Hon James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage speaking in favour of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sanctioning in the City of Vancouver at the December 17, 2009 Vancouver City Council Meeting. The vote passed to allow MMA by 6 to 3.
- Title
- MP James Moore Speaks in Favour of MMA Part 2 of 2
- Runtime
- 7:43
- Views
- 48
- Description
- Hon James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage speaking in favour of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sanctioning in the City of Vancouver at the December 17, 2009 Vancouver City Council Meeting. The vote passed to allow MMA by 6 to 3.
- Title
- Joel Posluns Speaking Against MMA Part 1 of 2
- Runtime
- 10:43
- Views
- 306
- Description
- Joel Posluns speaking against Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sanctioning in the City of Vancouver at the December 17, 2009 Vancouver City Council Meeting. The vote passed to allow MMA by 6 to 3.
- Title
- Joel Posluns Speaking Against MMA Part 2 of 2
- Runtime
- 7:57
- Views
- 379
- Description
- Joel Posluns speaking against Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) sanctioning in the City of Vancouver at the December 17, 2009 Vancouver City Council Meeting. The vote passed to allow MMA by 6 to 3.
- Title
- MMA in BC September 18, 2009
- Runtime
- 5:05
- Views
- 154
- Description
- An update on the status Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) regulation in British Columbia.
2010 Newsmaker of the Year nominess - Dave Teixeira - Dave.ca Communications; Sharon Stead - for husband Doug Stead; and Ernie "Punch" McLean.
We have been nominated for the “Newsmaker of the Year” award through the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce!
Our work over the last year with SHARE, Wrestling With Hunger, Pink Shirt Day and (fingers crossed) convincing law makers to sanction Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) in Vancouver were noted as the reasons for our nomination.
We are very proud of our nomination as it shows we get results for our clients. In turn, our clients are so happy they want to let others know of our efforts and nominate Dave.ca for awards such as “Newsmaker of the Year”. For that we thank them.
Last year we earned “Outstanding Small Business of the Year” which was a terrific honour. We look forward to sharing the stage on January 15, 2010 with all finalists when the winner is announced.
For a complete list of awards and nominees CLICK HERE.
By Jenny Dillon – The Daily Telegraph
MANY business people have already recognised the power of social media and are poised to exploit it commercially at every opportunity.
One may have a new summer line of swimwear, another a fresh menu from the restaurant kitchen, another has a sudden shipment of Asian artefacts, another is offering Mother’s Day discounts on facials and manicures.
With just a quick Twitter, these businesses can let all their followers know about the deals and get business pumping again.
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From today’s Vancouver Sun Newspaper – very interesting and will more companies follow suit?
A funny thing happened when Nathalie Balfour posted an article about her job description on the company blog. Within a few days, the public relations supervisor for Lululemon Athletica in Vancouver received dozens of responses from all sorts of interested parties. “It was so interesting to see how quickly doing that blog turned into a conversation with people within the company and externally,” she says.
Lululemon is embracing social networking in a big way to keep lines of communications open with potential and current employees. With 116 stores throughout North America and Australia, online community manager Carolyn Coles says having the ability to use Twitter, Facebook, blogging and Flickr, among other tools, “helps to keep everyone connected at every level and empowered, and really elevates internal conversation.”
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