‘Double the numbers’: Free training helps ease Quebec’s lifeguard shortage

For the last few years Quebec has experienced a shortage of lifeguards. But since the Quebec government offered a free training certification program, numbers have gone up.

For the first time since COVID-19 restrictions were imposed in 2020, the subsequent shortage of lifeguards Quebec has experienced in recent years has slowed. Experts say a Quebec government initiative to cover the costs of lifeguarding training has been a game-changer.

“I told the government, listen, in the next few years if we don’t do something special, we will close swimming facilities because we will be short lifeguards and instructors,” said Raynald Hawkins of the Quebec Lifesaving Society.

“Since we have the free training program, we double the numbers.”

In September 2022, the Quebec government committed $25 million over five years to offer free aquatic certifications across Quebec, including the bronze cross and bronze medallion courses, and the NLS lifeguarding certification. Hawkins said those courses together, along with instructor training, can run between $1,200 and $1,500.

“I spoke to my members, and at least 30 per cent said they would not do the course if they had to pay for it,” Hawkins said.

The number of people enrolled in aquatic certification programs across the province went up 40 per cent since the government started subsidizing the courses. Before this year, Quebec was dealing with a shortage of around 3,000 lifeguards.

The city of Montreal says it hasn’t had an issue hiring lifeguards to staff its many outdoor municipal pools this summer.

“Human resources told me there were enough lifeguards for this season, we don’t have to complain and that is not an issue,” said Philippe Sabourin, a spokesperson for the City of Montreal executive committee.