Few swimming lessons in Quebec: The issue of water safety

Why Quebec must improve access to swimming lessons to prevent drownings

 

Quebec is facing a real public safety issue regarding access to swimming lessons.

With many bodies of water and rivers, not knowing how to swim poses a major danger. Unfortunately, only one in ten children has access to swimming lessons in certain regions of Quebec, according to recent surveys. This figure is particularly alarming in a province with numerous rivers and lakes, where drownings represent a constant risk. Compare this to France, where access to swimming is facilitated and widely integrated into school programs.

 

The infrastructure crisis in Quebec

Access to swimming lessons in Quebec is far from sufficient. For example, in Longueuil, only 6% of the 37,000 children can enroll in lessons this year. In Saguenay, the situation is similar: barely 10% of the 18,000 young people in the region can hope for a spot. This shortage is exacerbated by the closure of many public pools and a critical lack of swimming instructors.

Sandra Bérubé, owner of the Aquatitude school, illustrates this crisis well: "We have 580 spots, but 430 names are already on the waiting list." She points out that the situation is only worsening over time, particularly due to the lack of available pools.

 

Testimonials: the anxiety of Quebec parents

For many Quebec parents, securing a spot for their child is a challenge. Anne-Marie Cadieux, owner of a private swimming school in Montreal, receives calls every day from desperate parents. "They are looking for a place for their children, but there simply are no available options. It's a big problem, especially for children with special needs, like those with ASD."

This generalized shortage has a direct impact on children's safety, as highlighted by Raynald Hawkins, director of the Lifesaving Society: "It is essential that all children have access to swimming lessons, or at least the basics to survive in an aquatic environment."

 

France: a model of generalized accessibility

In France, learning to swim is considered a priority. From primary school, children benefit from regular lessons thanks to a partnership between schools and municipal swimming pools. Nearly 80% of French students learn to swim before middle school. Unlike Quebec, where infrastructures are often insufficient, French schools play a crucial role in access to swimming lessons.

Moreover, mandatory school programs allow every child to benefit from quality training, supervised by qualified professionals. This has a direct effect on the reduction of drownings, with statistics much lower than in Quebec.

 

Why Quebec must act now

Pierre Lavoie, a promoter of physical activity, is categorical: "If there is one place that must absolutely make swimming mandatory, it is Quebec. We have half a million lakes and rivers, and children will inevitably be exposed to them." Lavoie advocates for a provincial plan that would guarantee every child access to swimming lessons, inspired by the French model.

It is essential that the Quebec government invests in renovating existing infrastructures and training new instructors. Currently, several pools built in the 1970s are in poor condition and require urgent renovations. Initiatives such as the program Swim to Survive, which teaches basic aquatic skills, are a good first step, but are not enough to meet the current demand.

 

Conclusion: A striking contrast between Quebec and France

While France ensures almost universal access to swimming, Quebec remains confronted with a structural crisis that must be resolved quickly. With rising drowning rates, it is urgent to implement sustainable solutions to provide every Quebec child with access to this vital learning. Not knowing how to swim should no longer be an option in a province where water is omnipresent.