March 01, 2004

The provincial government today released a report called Study of Safety in Professional Wrestling in Manitoba which includes recommendations for improving safety standards and practices for professional wrestling.

"The workplace safety of Manitobans is important to us all," said Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Eric Robinson, minister responsible for sport. "Professional wrestling, though defined in Manitoba as entertainment rather than sport, calls for a high degree of athleticism. Wrestlers, promoters and venue operators all have important roles to play to ensure the safety of performers and spectators."

The consultants who prepared the report concluded that it is important for the industry to self-regulate and act in its own best interests to promote safety.

"Our Workplace Safety Act, which was updated in 2002, provides an adequate mechanism to deal with safety and health matters in the workplace," said Labour and Immigration Minister Nancy Allan. "In this area, there is an increased degree of responsibility on venue owners and employers to maintain adequate safety standards."

Since deregulation in 1996, predetermined, staged combative displays such as professional wrestling are not considered sport in Manitoba and are not regulated by the Manitoba Boxing Commission or the Prize Fighting provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada.

Amateur, Olympic-style wrestling is a competition sport, and as such is regulated by the appropriate sport governing bodies.

"We encourage the industry to establish a self-regulatory mechanism such as the safety council proposed in the report," said Robinson. "And we thank the consulting group and its principal consultant, Martin Boroditsky, for their diligence in producing this comprehensive report."

The full provincial government response to the report can be found on the Internet at http://www.gov.mb.ca/govresp.html.

Information about the Workplace Safety and Health Act can be obtained from Manitoba Labour and Immigration at 204-945-3446.

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