OTTAWA, ON. (NEWS 1130) – Canada’s sports minister says national standards to identify and treat concussions, and when athletes can return to play, won’t apply to professional sports leagues.
Carla Qualtrough says the protocols being developed will only apply to amateur sport organizations that receive federal funds, but she intends to make a strong case to professional leagues operating in Canada to adopt the national standards once they are finalized.
This comes just one day after former NHLer Eric Lindros stated a national protocol to diagnose and treat concussions should be taught in schools to help young athletes, coaches and their parents recognize a head injury.
Qualtrough says the standards being developed will include sport-specific protocols for when athletes can return to playing because each sport has different and distinct risks associated with it.
However, she says this will not apply for professional leagues like the CFL or NHL, since Ottawa doesn’t fund those organizations. The minister says she can’t compel them to take action, but is hoping the pro leagues follow the same standards.
She says the benchmarks could also be adopted more widely to outline when anyone can return to play, to work, or to school after a concussion.