Bill C-212

Throughout history the fortunes of the game of lacrosse have ebbed and flowed.

The game has enjoyed some great times and some bleak ones. Somehow the game fights back from the precipice during the tough times and establishes itself on better footing. Its survival is uncanny and magical.

The game was in dire straits at the end of the 1980’s. Internal mismanagement and the Federal design to cut off funding to non-Olympic amateur sports were threatening to deal lacrosse a fatal blow.

What was needed to ensure survival was unclear. It seems when things are at their worst, a few intrepid souls whose passion for the game overrides their practical tendencies, seem to step up and fight the good fight.

The idea of creating Bill C-212 would prove to be one of the most creative and difficult maneuvers the game had ever seen or needed to be successful.

This story tells the tale of the six year struggle that ensued as lacrosse gained the status of Canada’s National Summer Sport.