Ottawa's new online registration system for swim lessons faces first test tonight
A swimming pool is seen in this undated file photo. (Shutterstock / Taweesak Jaroensin)
The city of Ottawa's new online registration platform will face its first test this evening, as registration opens for swimming lessons and other aquatic activities this winter.
Parents and elected officials have complained for several years about problems with the old system while trying to register for swimming classes. In August, the portal crashed shortly after registration opened for fall aquatics classes.
A new system has been in the works at Ottawa City Hall for months, and launched recently ahead of the registration for the Winter 2023 recreation and cultural programming and activities.
The city says its new registration platform, Register Ottawa, "is a modern client experience" that allows you to search and filter by activity, time and day, age group, and location.
"You can search and browse all the program and activity offerings and enroll on registration night on the same site," the city says.
Registration for all aquatic activities offered by the city of Ottawa opens at 9 p.m. on Monday, while you will be able to sign up for all other programs and activities starting Wednesday at 9 p.m.
The city warns spaces in swimming lessons will be "snapped up quickly."
The Winter 2023 program has a wide variety of programs, including:
- Learn to swim, power swim and aquatic certifications
- Learn to skate
- Sports and fitness, such as soccer, cross-country skiing and martial arts
- Playgrounds, dog obedience, dinosaur discovery
- Instructional creative and performing arts, such as painting, music and dance
- Virtual programming for real-time online activities
Here is what you need to know about the new registration system
What is it?
Register Ottawa is the city of Ottawa's new registration platform. It allows you to search and filter by activity, time and day, age group, and location.
Visit register.ottawa.ca.
The city says the new platform is compatible with mobile devices and tablets.
Create an account
The city of Ottawa says you will need to create a new account unless you have an active membership (fitness, swimming, sport) or are an Ottawa Hand in Hand recipient.
Parents and guardians are urged to create an account in advance of registration night.
"Fill in the form with your information and add any other family members on the account," the city said in a media release.
"Saving your credit card information in advance will save you valuable time in checking out your preferred program offering."
Bookmark multiple offerings
The city of Ottawa recommends creating a wish list for easy retrieval during registration.
"When preparing for registration day, it’s a good idea to browse and bookmark one or more of your activities," the city said.
"In fact, for high-demand programs, like swimming, bookmark a few offerings of the same program. That way, if your first choice is fully registered, you can quickly get to your second or third choices. You might find the same activity available at a different time or location, or chose a different type of activity to try."
CHANGES TO SWIM CITY PROGRAM
The city of Ottawa is also launching a new swimming lessons program in January.
With the Canadian Red Cross phasing out swimming lessons as part of their water safety services, the city designed its own program.
The Swim City program includes four streams.
Swim Tots (under 3 years) contains three levels
- Little Dippers 1, Little Splashers 2, Little Jumpers 3
Swim Creatures (3-5 years) contains five levels
- Mikinàk/Turtle 1, Omagakì/Frog 2, Màng/Loon 3, Nigig/Otter 4, Amik/Beaver 5
Swim Colours (6-14 years) contains 10 levels
- Yellow 1, Coral 2, Red 3, Magenta 4, Purple 5, Navy 6, Aqua 7, Seafoam 8, Green 9, Lime 10
Adult/youth swim courses contain three levels
Sw'imtroduction 1, Sw'immersion 2, Sw'improvement 3
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
23 vehicles towed, dozens of tickets issued as rally marks one-year anniversary of 'Freedom Convoy' in Ottawa
OPS and Ottawa Bylaw officers issued 192 parking tickets and 67 Provincial Offences Notices in downtown Ottawa this weekend, as people gathered marked the one-year anniversary of the 'Freedom Convoy'.
'COVID is not done,' Canadian infectious disease expert says ahead of WHO announcement
While RSV and flu cases steadily decline in Canada, the World Health Organization is set to announce on Monday whether it still considers COVID-19 a global health emergency, but one infectious disease specialist says we still need to keep an eye on the coronavirus.
YouTube star MrBeast helps 1,000 blind people see again by sponsoring cataract surgeries
YouTube superstar MrBeast is making the world clearer -- for at least 1,000 people. The content creator's latest stunt is paying for cataract removal for 1,000 people who were blind or near-blind but could not afford the surgery.
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion dies at 101
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion, nicknamed 'Hurricane Hazel,' has died. She was 101 years old. Premier Doug Ford said McCallion died peacefully at her home early Sunday morning.
'24,' 'Runaways' actor Annie Wersching has died at 45
Actor Annie Wersching, best known for playing FBI agent Renee Walker in the series '24' and providing the voice for Tess in the video game 'The Last of Us' has died. She was 45.
Father pushing Manitoba to follow Ontario, Saskatchewan in screening for CMV
Roughly one in 200 babies born in Canada today will have congenital cytomegalovirus, a virus that can lead to hearing loss, intellectual disability or vision loss. But with only two provinces screening newborns for CMV, one father is asking other health-care systems to do more.
Russian teen faces years in jail over social media post criticizing war in Ukraine
A Russian teenager must wear an ankle bracelet while she is under house arrest after she was charged over social media posts that authorities say discredit the Russian army and justify terrorism.
Emotional ceremony marks 6th anniversary of Quebec mosque shooting
An emotional ceremony took place today marking the sixth anniversary of the Quebec City mosque shooting, held for the first time in the same room where many of the victims were killed. Six men died that night: Mamadou Tanou Barry, Ibrahima Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Azzeddine Soufiane and Aboubaker Thabti were gunned down not long after evening prayers at the suburban Quebec City mosque.
As Canada's RCMP marks 150th anniversary, a look at what it says needs to change
After years of reports and allegations detailing a 'toxic' workplace, Canada's RCMP says it is trying to evolve, focusing on diversity in its organization and repairing relationships with communities as it marks its 150th anniversary.
Atlantic
-
Actress and former senator Viola Leger, best known as La Sagouine, dies at 92
Actress, teacher and former senator Viola Leger has died at the age of 92.
-
Calls grow for Ottawa to set conditions against funding private health care in negotiations with provinces, territories
As momentum and negotiations build toward a long awaited deal on federal health care funding, calls are also growing for specific conditions on how any transfer money should be spent.
-
'I personally am effected by that': Nova Scotians express outrage over death of Tyre Nichols
Horror, outrage, and pain are just a few words Robert Wright uses to describe his feelings after watching Tyre Nichols pinned and assaulted by officers in Memphis.
Toronto
-
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion dies at 101
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion, nicknamed 'Hurricane Hazel,' has died. She was 101 years old. Premier Doug Ford said McCallion died peacefully at her home early Sunday morning.
-
Trudeau remembers 'trailblazer' Hazel McCallion as tributes pour in for late Mississauga mayor
Late Mississauga Mayor Hazel McCallion is being remembered for the many ways she contributed to not only to the city she led for 36 years, but also the province and country following her death on Sunday morning.
-
Man dead after daylight stabbing in downtown Toronto; suspect in custody
A man is dead and a male suspect is in custody following a stabbing at a downtown Toronto apartment building on Sunday afternoon.
Montreal
-
Emotional ceremony marks 6th anniversary of Quebec mosque shooting
An emotional ceremony took place today marking the sixth anniversary of the Quebec City mosque shooting, held for the first time in the same room where many of the victims were killed. Six men died that night: Mamadou Tanou Barry, Ibrahima Barry, Khaled Belkacemi, Abdelkrim Hassane, Azzeddine Soufiane and Aboubaker Thabti were gunned down not long after evening prayers at the suburban Quebec City mosque.
-
Quebec basic income program begins, but advocates say many low-income people excluded
Anti-poverty activists are praising the Quebec basic income program as a good step toward helping people meet their basic needs — but say strict eligibility criteria exclude many of the province’s lowest-income residents.
-
Montreal will focus on clearing snow, not removing it, until snowfall stops
As snow continues to pile on Montreal's streets, the city has decided to pause its snow removal operation from last Friday's storm. In the meantime, crews will focus on plowing the streets to keep up with the snowfall that's currently pummeling the city.
Northern Ontario
-
Driver receives 24 traffic tickets in less than 24 hours
A southern Ontario driver operating a commercial motor vehicle based in Edmonton, Alta. has been charged with 24 Highway Traffic Act offences in a 24-hour period before the vehicle was removed from service in northern Ontario.
-
Greater Sudbury apartment fire leaves one in hospital, 30 displaced
An apartment fire in Greater Sudbury Saturday evening has left one man in critical condition and displaced 30 residents.
-
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion dies at 101
Former Mississauga, Ont. mayor Hazel McCallion, nicknamed 'Hurricane Hazel,' has died. She was 101 years old. Premier Doug Ford said McCallion died peacefully at her home early Sunday morning.
London
-
'Precedent setting case': Southwestern Ontario judge rules homeless encampment can stay in park
It could be a watershed moment for homeless policies in Ontario. A judge denied a Region of Waterloo court bid for an injunction to have homeless encampments removed from land at Victoria Street North and Weber Street West in Kitchener due to too few shelter spaces, and the decision is already on the radar of city officials and homeless advocates in London.
-
'Police all over my yard': Neighbours recount 13-hour Woodstock, Ont. standoff
The Woodstock Police Service have arrested three men following an overnight standoff. Inspector Marci Shelton told CTV News London the incident began on William Street, just off Ingersoll Avenue shortly after 9 p.m.
-
Multiple engines respond to Sunday morning factory fire in London, Ont.
Seven London Fire Department vehicles, including an aerial unit, responded to an alarm at in the city’s northeast end Sunday. Just before 8 a.m., dispatchers were alerted to a structure fire at Zucora Home on Clarke Road, north of Dundas Street.
Winnipeg
-
Jennifer Jones returns to Canadian women's curling championship in Manitoba colours
Jennifer Jones wins Manitoba's women's curling championship
-
How Manitoba RV and boat dealers are coping with inflation
RV and boat supply shortages during the pandemic made getting the vehicles tough to obtain, but with stock back to pre-pandemic levels, other challenges are now on buyers' minds.
-
Jennifer Jones returns to Canadian women's curling championship in Manitoba colours
WINNIPEG - Jennifer Jones defeated Abby Ackland 10-5 on Sunday to win Manitoba's women's curling championship and qualify for the Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
Kitchener
-
Local group organizes townhall with WRPS Chief to discuss action against hate crimes
Sunday marks the 6th anniversary of a deadly attack at a Quebec City mosque where six men were killed and five others were critically injured.
-
'Could have been catastrophic': Fire official credits CO detector in helping save two people
The Waterloo Fire Department is crediting a working carbon monoxide (CO) detector for potentially helping to save the lives of two people early Sunday morning.
-
No injuries after fire at Cambridge McDonald’s
The Cambridge Fire Department said there were no injuries after a fire at a Mcdonald’s on Main Street in Cambridge.
Calgary
-
Foothills Fieldhouse discussion returning to Calgary City Hall
The Foothills Athletic Park redesign could get a little closer to reality on Monday.
-
The day the beer cooler fried: Craft brewer closes due to suddenly exploding suds
A Calgary craft beer store experienced its worst case scenario Saturday night.
-
University of Lethbridge students push back against controversial speaker
The University of Lethbridge says a controversial guest speaker appearance will go ahead, despite pushback from some students.
Saskatoon
-
Inmate who died in custody in Saskatoon had a history of self harm: Court records
An inmate in the Regional Psychiatric Centre died while in custody on Saturday.
-
'It was so soft': Wildlife festival excites and educates visitors of all ages
Saskatchewan is home to a wide variety of animals, but the Wildlife Festival brought over 50 unique animals from all over the world to show and share.
-
Saskatoon indoor track meet draws international stars
Over 3,000 athletes ranging in age and skill level participated in Canada’s largest indoor invitational international track and field meet, the Knights of Columbus Indoor Games.
Edmonton
-
Community town hall to focus on future of Hwy 16A and Range Road 20 intersection
The future of an intersection west of Edmonton in Parkland County, known by some as the "death trap" for being the scene of multiple crashes, continues to be reviewed by the provincial government.
-
Hundreds plunge into frozen Lake Summerside for Special Olympics Alberta
Edmontonians plunged into the freezing Lake Summerside Sunday afternoon in support of Special Olympics Alberta.
-
Outdoor rink in Leduc damaged in Saturday fire
Smoke and flames could be seen billowing out from an outdoor rink on the south side of Leduc Saturday night.
Vancouver
-
Orthopaedic surgeries down 25% in B.C. public hospitals as private sector picks up slack
Orthoopaedic surgeons report that they’re doing only three quarters of the surgeries they used to in B.C.'s public hospitals, with an increasing number of taxpayer-funded procedures carried out in private facilities
-
Vancouver school named after British general who ran concentration camps up for re-naming
A Vancouver school named after a British general who set up concentration camps in South Africa where thousands died is one step closer to having a new name.
-
Nurse 'did not adequately assess' or care for unresponsive person, B.C. college finds
A former Kelowna nurse has been disciplined by her professional college for her inadequate response to an unresponsive person at the entrance of the emergency department where she was working in September 2021.
Regina
-
City to host public information session with update on Saskatchewan Drive renovation
The city has planned a public information session to provide an update on the Saskatchewan Drive Corridor Project.
-
Break-in leads to multiple charges in central Regina: Police
Regina police responded to an early morning call on Sunday that ended with one man in custody.
-
Free, No-barriers yoga aims to help healing for Indigenous trauma survivors in Regina
“Getting in touch with yourself mentally, emotionally, spiritually and physically if we’re talking about the medicine wheel, is really a big part of our healing journey as Indigenous people.”