Lifeguard shortages impacting pools, water programs across Canada
Municipalities across Canada are grappling with lifeguard shortages as city pools and beaches open for the summer.
Municipal officials and a water safety organization say that’s because COVID-19 measures put lifeguard certification and recertification programs on hold, and many lifeguards moved on to new opportunities during the pandemic.
Toronto’s director of community recreation says the city needs about 1,100 lifeguards to supervise indoor and outdoor pool facilities but currently only has 750 confirmed.
On Tuesday, the city cancelled 169 swim courses because it said it couldn’t find swimming instructors, affecting roughly 1,140 participants.