Toward a National Strategy on the Treatment of Concussions in Sport

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 27, 2015) - The Government of Canada recognizes that concussions are a serious issue throughout our sport system, from the community level all the way up to high-performance competition.

As Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities, a past high-performance athlete and now a mother with children who participate in sport, I am keenly aware of the concerns being voiced across our sport system about our athletes' health regarding the impact of concussions. I share the desire for a responsible, coordinated approach to the treatment of concussions in order to ensure the safety of every athlete.

Rowan's Law, the proposed legislation in Ontario to address awareness and treatment of concussions across the province, is a step in the right direction. It builds on work that has been underway with our provincial and territorial colleagues for some time.

The Prime Minister has asked me and my colleague, the Minister of Health, to work together on a national strategy to raise awareness for parents, coaches and athletes on concussion treatment.

Together, we will be working with our provincial and territorial colleagues, stakeholders across Canada's sport system and experts from various sectors to develop a harmonized education and management strategy that will lead to concrete action in preventing concussions in sport.

I am committed to delivering an athlete-centred approach that works to protect their health, both in the short and long term.

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