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Ontario lowers minimum age requirement for lifeguards

Starting on Saturday, lifeguards are returning to Toronto beaches for the summer season. (Courtesy: City of Toronto)

Ontario is lowering the minimum age to be a lifeguard from 16 to 15 years old as lifeguards are returning to Toronto beaches this weekend for the summer season. 

The provincial government announced on Friday that it is also lowering the age requirement for assistant lifeguard and aquatic instructor from 16 to 15 years old as well. The updated age requirements came into effect immediately and were implemented to help communities address staffing shortages, the government said

READ MORE: Ontario considers lowering minimum age for lifeguards to 15 to alleviate staff shortages

This change in the minimum age also aligns with the updated age requirements by the Lifesaving Society’s certification course. The society lowered its age requirement for the national lifeguard certificate back in July 2020. 

“Lowering the age for youth to become lifeguards creates more job opportunities for youth in a rewarding position that can help keep community pools and recreational camp waterfronts safe,” Sylvia Jones, deputy premier and minister of health, said in a statement on Friday. 

The government noted that lifeguards must first pass a series of swimming tests and hold appropriate certifications, such as a current lifeguard or assistant lifeguard certificate or a current aquatic instructor certificate, to be able to work as lifeguards, assistant lifeguards, or aquatic instructors.

Meanwhile, lifeguards will be returning to nine of Toronto’s 10 beaches for the summer season starting today.

Lifeguards will be on duty at:

  • Bluffer’s Park 
  • Cherry/Clarke 
  • Centre Island
  • Hanlan’s Point
  • Kew-Balmy
  • Marie Curtis Park
  • Sunnyside
  • Ward’s Island
  • Woodbine Beaches

Lifeguards will supervise at these beaches seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. until Sep. 4. Gibraltar Point will be supervised beginning July 1. 

More information about the city’s 10 swimming beaches and beach safety is available on the city’s beaches website or by calling 311.

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