Working to prevent drowning and water-related injury

Updates to Ontario Provincial Pools Regulation

The Ontario Government has issued updates to the Ontario Provincial Pools Regulation (R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 565: PUBLIC POOLS) effective January 1, 2025. In response, the Society has produced an insert that covers the required amendments to the current Guide to Ontario Public Pools Regulation. The insert will be included with any purchase of the Guide to Ontario Public Pools Regulation until a new edition is available. The insert can be downloaded here for those who already own the book.

116th Annual Meeting

Our Annual General Meeting will be on Friday, April 11, 6:00 p.m. at the Hilton Toronto/Markham Suites Conference Centre and Spa.

• RSVP here
• Download your parking pass here
• Stay tuned for more documents

We're moving!

The new Lifesaving Society Ontario – Member Services Centre will open at 475 Cochrane Drive in Markham in the spring. This new office is conveniently located close to highways 7, 401, 404 and 407.

While you’re visiting us at the Member Services Centre, you can:

• Purchase and pick up orders from the LifeguardDepot.com store
• Receive in-person customer service
• Recertify your leadership awards
• Pick up and drop off lifesaving sport rental equipment

Stay tuned for an official opening date and more information in the coming weeks. We look forward to welcoming you to our new office!

Building more aquatic centres in Ontario

The Aquatic Sport Council of Ontario has developed Building More Aquatic Centres in Ontario, a white paper designed to support government and industry stakeholders in planning for Ontario’s future sport and community infrastructure.

The white paper calls for a dedicated provincial fund to support the construction of 50m pools, development of regional recreation centres, and the creation of best practices for design, operations, and revenue generation.

Access the full white paper at this link.

National Drowning Prevention Week 2025

Save the date! NDPW 2025 will take place from July 20-26, 2025.

Leadership Recertification Points System

The Lifesaving Society has updated the instructor, coach, examiner and trainer leadership recertification process. The new Leadership Recertification Points System offers a wider variety of options to earn points and recertify with ease! Read more about recertifying.

2023 Ontario Non-Fatal Drowning Report

For every fatal drowning in Ontario, there are nearly four non-fatal drownings that are serious enough to require an emergency department visit every year. Learn more in the 2023 edition of the Ontario Non-Fatal Drowning Report.

ONTARIO LOWERS MINIMUM AGE TO BE A LIFEGUARD OR INSTRUCTOR

On June 2, 2023 the Government of Ontario announced that it was lowering the minimum age requirement to work as a lifeguard, assistant lifeguard and aquatic instructor from 16 to 15 years of age. The Lifesaving Society Ontario supports this change. Read the release.