EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Bill proclaims March 27, 2019 as Special Hockey Day to coincide with the start of the 25th annual Special Hockey International tournament in Toronto.

Bill 53 2018

An Act to proclaim Special Hockey Day

Preamble

Special hockey is a version of ice hockey adapted for athletes with exceptionalities, namely a developmental disability or cognitive disorder. Special Hockey International, abbreviated as “SHI”, is the international governing body for special hockey organizations and teams. SHI promotes special hockey in an inclusive environment and organizes an annual international tournament for teams that are its member clubs. It was founded in 1992 by Pat Flick.

The SHI tournament brings together teams from across North America and Europe and regularly attracts more than 70 teams. Traditionally the tournament is held in a city that alternates between Canada and the United States of America, but it has also been held in London, England. The tournament is sanctioned by the host team’s governing body, namely Hockey Canada, USA Hockey, or another member body of the International Ice Hockey Federation, but it is not a traditional tournament. Special hockey is non-contact and non-competitive. There are no elimination rounds and no one team is crowned champion.

The 25th annual SHI tournament will be held in Toronto, starting on March 27, 2019. The host for the 2019 tournament is the Grandravine Special Hockey Team. Proclaiming Special Hockey Day to coincide with the start of the 2019 tournament will help to bring awareness to the many special hockey organizations across Ontario and celebrate all of those involved in the 2019 tournament.

Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Ontario, enacts as follows:

Special Hockey Day

1 March 27, 2019 is proclaimed as Special Hockey Day.

Commencement

2 This Act comes into force on the day it receives Royal Assent.

Short title

3 The short title of this Act is the Special Hockey Day Act, 2018.