From Canadian Press staff
Published June 24, 2022, 12:05 p.m.
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Municipalities in Canada are struggling with a shortage of lifeguards as city pools and beaches open in the summer.
Municipal officials and a water safety organization say this is because COVID-19 measures are holding back rescuer certification and re-certification programs, and many rescuers have moved to new opportunities during the pandemic.
Toronto’s director of public recreation says the city needs about 1,100 lifeguards to monitor indoor and outdoor pools, but there are currently only 750 confirmed.
Read more: “This is a real challenge”: Lack of rescuers raises safety concerns across Canada
On Tuesday, the city canceled 169 swimming courses because it said it could not find swimming instructors, which affected approximately 1,140 participants.
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While most Toronto beaches are provided with daily staffing, the city says Words Island and Hanlance Point beaches will only be monitored on weekends, while Gibraltar Point will not be monitored until later in the season.
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Read more: Brampton offers free certification courses for lifeguards and swimming instructors
The water sports manager for Kitchener says the city in southern Ontario typically requires between 180 and 200 lifeguards and water personnel, but currently has between 150 and 160 positions.
Meanwhile, the West Vancouver municipality has introduced a free lifeguard training program to fill vacancies and remove barriers to certification-related costs, which can cost nearly $ 1,000 and take up to two years.
© 2022 The Canadian Press
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