Lack of swimming lessons in Quebec: France leads the way in water safety

Why Quebec must improve access to swimming lessons to prevent drowning

Quebec is facing a real public safety problem when it comes to access to swimming lessons.

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

Quebec's infrastructure crisis

Access to swimming lessons in Quebec is far from adequate. In Longueuil, for example, only 6% of the 37,000 children can register for lessons this year. In Saguenay, the situation is similar: barely 10% of the region's 18,000 youngsters can hope for a place. This shortage is compounded by the closure of many public pools and a critical shortage of swimming instructors.

Sandra Bérubé, owner of Aquatitude, is a good illustration of this crisis: "We have 580 places, but 430 names are already on the waiting list. She points out that the situation is only worsening over time, not least because of the lack of available pools.

Testimonials: the anguish of Quebec parents

For many Quebec parents, getting a place for their child is a challenge. Anne-Marie Cadieux, owner of a private swimming school in Montreal, receives daily calls from desperate parents. "They're looking for a place for their children, but there simply aren't any offers available. It's a big problem, especially for children with special needs, like those with ASD."

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

France: a model of widespread accessibility

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

What's more, compulsory school programs ensure that every child benefits from quality training, supervised by qualified professionals. This has a direct effect on drowning rates, which are much lower than in Quebec.

Why Quebec must act now

Pierre Lavoie, a promoter of physical activity, is categorical: "If any place should absolutely make swimming compulsory, it's Quebec. We have half a million lakes and rivers, and children will inevitably be exposed to them. Lavoie advocates a provincial plan that would guarantee every child access to swimming lessons, based on the French model.

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

Conclusion: A striking contrast between Quebec and France

While France provides almost universal access to swimming, Quebec continues to face a structural crisis that must be resolved quickly. With drowning rates on the rise, sustainable solutions are urgently needed to give every Quebec child access to this vital skill. Not knowing how to swim should no longer be an option in a province where water is everywhere.

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