Public Commons

• City of Toronto PFR 2009

Part of General Policies Regulatory View: Skating Rinks Sources/References: Helmets

Two very different approaches to sports waivers

On the one hand: a shinny waiver letter, from the Town of Banff in Alberta. The town requires full hockey equipment to be worn for shinny hockey, but obviously they don’t think that’s enough. This is what you have to sign to be allowed to play shinny:

“ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF RISK: I am aware that playing or practicing to play/participate in any sport can be a dangerous activity involving MANY RISKS OF INJURY. I understand that the dangers and risks of playing or practicing to play/participate in shinny hockey include, but are not limited to, death, serious neck and spinal injuries which may result in complete or partial paralysis, brain damage, serious injury to virtually all internal organs, serious injury to virtually all bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, tendons and other aspects of the muscular skeletal system, and serious injury or impairment to other aspects of my body, general health and well being. I understand that the dangers and risks of playing or practicing to play/participate in shinny hockey may result not only in serious injury, but in a serious impairment of my future abilities to earn a living, to engage in other business, social and recreational activities, and generally to enjoy life.”

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Editor’s note: Maybe oil painting would be a better free-time activity, or chess....

On the other hand: here is some good sense, in the Ski and Snowboard Helmet policy, City of Toronto, approved Dec 2009 (and a surprising contrast to Toronto’s Skating and Rinks policy):

Parks, Forestry and Recreation Division endeavours to operate safe Ski and Snowboard Centres for all participants, staff, volunteers and permit holders. A component of safety includes the usage of approved Ski and Snowboard helmets [but helmets are required only for lessons]....This policy does not apply to tow ticket users or those who have requested accommodation and signed a waiver....[The policy recognizes] that all people may do the same or similar things in various ways, each being effective. [The policy] means to remove the barriers that prevent people from gaining access to and fully participating in important activities such as.....[the use of] facilities.... [Even for lessons, the policy allows] exemption from or adaptation of the Ski and Snowboard Helmet Policy when requested by a staff or participant... when the completed Ski and Snowboard Helmet Waiver is submitted to the Community Recreation Programmer. [[Link:

<Source Link>

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