Lifeguard, instructor shortage forces city of Ottawa to cut swim times
The city of Ottawa says it has to cancel some public swim times and some swimming lessons because of a shortage of lifeguards and swimming instructors.
In a memo recreation, cultural and facility services manager Dan Chenier said several people who were hired for the summer resigned to pursue other jobs.
“Consequently, the Department will need to reduce some service offerings by cancelling certain public swim times, reducing the swim capacities at public swim sessions, and cancelling approximately 50 learn-to-swim classes,” Chenier wrote.
He said more than 5,000 planned swimming lessons will go ahead this summer and there is enough staff to operate the city’s 55 wading pools at full capacity.
The city had originally anticipated it would have enough staff for the summer but then many of the trained employees left.
“Despite the high enrollment in lifeguard certification courses, many lifeguards are seeking employment elsewhere, often in other fields,” Chenier wrote.
The National Capital Commission has also said it is facing a shortage of lifeguards.
If you’re registered for a class and it’s cancelled, Chenier said you will receive a phone call and offered a different class, if available. Impacts on individual pools and facilities will be posted on the city’s website.
“We understand this will come as a disappointment to affected clients and we are doing everything we can to continue to run as many programs as possible,” Chenier said. “When more staff become available, supplemental public swim sessions will be scheduled.”
The city is hiring and is asking any interested candidates to apply online.
The issue is not unique to Ottawa. The city of Toronto cancelled nearly 200 courses because swim instructors could not be confirmed. In Quebec, there's an estimated shortage of about 200 lifeguards.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.