Latest news with #NorthBay
CBC
an hour ago
- Health
- CBC
How cities in northern Ontario solved their lifeguard shortage
After years of grappling with lifeguard shortages, several cities in northern Ontario say they've finally turned a corner, with fully staffed pools and supervised beaches this summer. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated lifeguard shortages across the country, leading some cities and town to scale back programming or leave certain waterfronts unsupervised. But cities like North Bay, Sault Ste. Marie and Sudbury say targeted changes, including free certification courses, boosted wages and changes to training have improved the situation in the last year. Rebuilding after the pandemic "We definitely noticed [the shortage] coming out of COVID. There was such a long period of time where we weren't able to operate," said Kendra MacIsaac, vice-president of health and wellness for the YMCA of northeastern Ontario. She said during the pandemic, many lifeguards found different jobs because they were unable to work and their certifications eventually expired. Due to that shortage, the YMCA's downtown Sudbury location had to reduce their schedule or close the pool on some occasions. In the last few years, MacIsaac said the YMCA of northeastern Ontario has worked tirelessly to run ongoing certification courses in order to recruit enough lifeguards to be able to run aquatic programs and services at pre-pandemic levels. Usually after years of swimming lessons, 13-year-olds can start the lifeguard certification process by taking the bronze medallion and emergency first aid course. After that they can immediately take the bronze cross certification course, standard first aid and CPR ahead of the national lifeguard certification at 15 years old. In 2023, the provincial government lowered the age requirement for lifeguards to address the staffing shortages across Ontario. MacIsaac said that made a "big difference." But she said maintaining interest between swim lessons and lifeguard certifications is still a challenge. "There's often a gap when kids stop lessons and aren't quite old enough for bronze medallion," MacIsaac said. To bridge that, the YMCA is offering junior lifeguard clubs and other leadership programs to keep kids engaged between the ages of 10 and 13. Various strategies For the first time in several years, the City of North Bay's supervised beaches are fully staffed. "In recent years, only two of the three beaches were staffed due to the widespread shortage of lifeguards," said a city spokesperson in a statement to CBC News. "The City of North Bay has had a full complement of lifeguards across all three of its supervised beaches — Shabogesic Beach on Lake Nipissing, as well as The Cove and Olmsted Beach on Trout Lake." To address this shortage, in 2024 North Bay raised the hourly wage for lifeguards from the provincial minimum of $17.20 per hour to $19.50. The city says it has also benefited from the temporary closure of its indoor pool at the North Bay YMCA, allowing more certified guards to work outdoors. Sault Ste. Marie has seen similar success. The city's aquatic supervisor, Benjamin Ayton, said staffing levels have returned to what they were before the pandemic. "We're back to pre-COVID levels and we're doing all right, at least for the municipality," Ayton said. "Some of the summer camps are still having a hard time, but we've been trying to help them out by getting them certified people." To boost interest and lower financial barriers, the Sault began offering all bronze and advanced lifeguard courses for free. Even when only a few people signed up, Ayton said, the city made sure the courses still ran. "Even though not everyone would go on to work for us, we did offer all these courses for free and that really helped our area," he said. Greater Sudbury isn't currently facing a lifeguard shortage affecting their programming, according to Jessica Watts, manager of recreation with the city. She explained that as COVID-19 restrictions eased, the city returned to offering advanced life guarding certification courses. "We can train people more regularly and have them prepared to qualify for those lifeguard positions to build internal capacity and reduce reliance on external instructors," Watts said. "We also started training our own staff to teach those more advanced levels, which allowed us to deliver those advanced courses in house." Both Ayton and MacIsaac said life guarding is a public safety service that plays a critical role in preventing drownings and ensuring access to water-based recreation. "Most of our job is prevention," Ayton said. "It's not a pleasant experience to have to deal with [an emergency] situation like that, but you do the best you can and it is rewarding when you are able to assist."
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
North Bay man charged with fleeing police in GTA
A 21-year-old from North Bay who was on probation has been charged with weapons offences and with fleeing police in York Region. York Regional Police have released video of a chase that ended with charges for a 21-year-old man from North Bay who was free on bail at the time of the incidents. He is charged not only with fleeing police on two separate occasions in the Town of Georgina, but with firearms-related offences after police seized a handgun and ammunition. In the first instance July 10, police saw a red Nissan Qashqai travelling at a high rate of speed in the area of Woodbine Avenue and Riverglen Drive. Police chase The suspect fled York Regional Police the first time on July 10, police said. (Photo from video) 'The vehicle was heading in the opposite direction,' York police said in a news release Monday. 'When officers turned around in an effort to conduct a traffic stop, the vehicle fled at high speed.' Then on July 17, the same vehicle was spotted in the area of Woodbine Avenue and Boyers Road. 'Officers recognized the driver as the same individual from the July 10 incident,' police said. Ran red lights 'The York Regional Police Air Support Unit was engaged and took over observation of the vehicle, which continued to flee southbound on Highway 404, exiting at Highway 7, in the City of Richmond Hill.' After running 'multiple red lights,' the vehicle was seen driving in the wrong direction on the road. 'Despite officers deploying a tire deflation device, the vehicle continued travelling on all four rims into the Town of Aurora,' police said. Glock A search of the vehicle uncovered a Glock handgun. (York Regional Police photo) 'In the interest of public safety, officers made intentional contact to stop the vehicle and the driver was taken into custody without injury. A search warrant was executed on the vehicle, resulting in the seizure of a loaded handgun and ammunition.' The North Bay suspect has been charged with two counts each of fleeing police and dangerous driving, three counts of failing to comply with an undertaking and one count each of drugged driving, unauthorized possession of a vehicle, along with several firearms offences. 'At the time of these offences, the accused was bound by conditions stemming from unrelated charges and was currently out on bail,' police said. Glock ammo A search of the vehicle uncovered ammunition for the Glock handgun. (York Regional Police photo) Police released a video of the chase. Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the York Regional Police Regional 3 District criminal investigations bureau at 1-866-876-5423, ext. 7341. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or online.
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Footage of North Bay B&E suspect
North Bay police have released security cam footage of a break-and-enter suspect caught on camera Sunday in the McLaren Street area.
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
North Bay police release video of break-and-enter suspect
North Bay police have released security cam footage of a break-and-enter suspect caught on camera Sunday in the McLaren Street area. North Bay Police Service is seeking the public's help to identify a suspect in a recent break-and-enter at a residential property. The incident took place Sunday afternoon at a residence in the McLaren Street area. 'Video surveillance footage from the scene captured an individual believed to be responsible,' police said in a news release Monday. North Bay break and enter North Bay police said the suspect is believed to be a male riding a grey bicycle wearing a long-sleeved white shirt with rolled-up sleeves and black shorts. (Photo from video) The suspect is believed to be a male riding a grey bicycle wearing a long-sleeved white shirt with rolled-up sleeves and black shorts. He was wearing a hat with a red rectangular logo, shoes with yellow toes and was carrying a beige backpack. 'Police are also aware of additional and similar incidents reported in the area,' the release said. Similar cases in the area 'These cases are currently under active investigation and it is not yet known if they are connected.' Residents in the area are being asked to check their security cameras for any footage of the suspect between Sunday evening and overnight until Monday morning. 'Even minor details may help advance the investigation,' police said. Police 'have increased patrols in the affected areas and will continue proactive efforts to deter further incidents,' the release said. 'All residents should remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour immediately.' If you have information or footage that could help with the investigation, you are asked to call police at 705-497-5555, and select Option 5 to speak with an officer. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online.
CTV News
4 days ago
- Health
- CTV News
Drug warning issued in North Bay area
Police in North Bay are issuing a high-priority safety alert after a recent probe of an overdose uncovered two extremely dangerous drugs. Eric Taschner has more.
