| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ontario Beach Resort Destinations North of Toronto Qualify
for 2007 Blue Flag Designation
Blue Flag, an international program for clean summer beaches, has qualified
nine beaches in Ontario. To qualify for the Blue Flag, all nine beaches
had to meet 27 strict standards based on water quality, environmental
management, environmental education and safety and services.
Beaches
Of the Nine beaches certified to fly the Blue Flags in 2007, 3 are on
Lake Huron-Georgian Bay, and an additional
four northern beaches have been designated to fly a Blue Flag in 2008
subject to approval
"We're so pleased to present these world-class beaches with the Blue
Flag," said Sarah Winterton, Programme Director of Environmental
Defence, the Blue Flag coordinator in Canada. "Flying a Blue Flag
shows Canadians and tourists that these are exceptional beaches and are
clean for swimming."
The three Lake Huron—Georgian Bay Beaches are: Station Beach in
Kincardine; and, Sauble Beach in South Bruce Peninsula and Wasaga
Beach, in the Nottawasaga Bay Area of Southern Georgian Bay.
Future Blue Flags on Lake Huron-Georgian Bay
An additional four beaches in Ontario north of Toronto have been named
Candidate Blue Flag beaches, which means they could be flying a Blue Flag
beginning in the 2008 swimming season. Two of the Candidate Blue Flag
beaches are on Lake Huron: Rotary Cove Beach in Goderich; and, Canatara
Park Beach in Sarnia. Two are on Georgian Bay: Northwinds Beach Park and
Little River Beach Park in the Town of the Blue Mountains near Collingwood,
Ontario.
"In cooperation with Wasaga Beach Provincial Park and the Friends
of Nancy Island Historic Site and Wasaga Beach Park we have proven that
we have one of the finest beaches in the world," said Cal Patterson,
Mayor of the Town of Wasaga Beach. "We will continue to work together
to maintain this prestigious honour."
The nine Ontario Blue Flag beaches join more than 2,600 in 36 countries
around the world. As part of the Blue Flag requirements, beaches in Canada
must meet Ontario's standards for recreational water quality (the most
stringent in North America) at least 80% of the swimming season. Water
quality test results for each Blue Flag beach are available on the Blue
Flag Canada web site -
www.BlueFlag.ca.
Beaches are certified by two independent juries - the Blue Flag Great
Lakes Regional Jury and the International Blue Flag Jury. Blue Flags are
awarded at the beginning of each swimming season. Beaches can lose their
Blue Flags during the season if they fail to meet the required criteria.
"We have a wealth of beaches and beautiful waterfronts right across
Canada that we can all be proud of," said Winterton. "The Blue
Flag is a great way for communities to work together to protect and enjoy
their beaches."
About Blue Flag Beaches (www.blueflag.ca)
The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), based in Denmark, owns
and operates the Blue Flag Program. Since 1987, Blue Flag has grown to
include more than 2,600 beaches in 36 countries. Environmental Defence
is the Canadian National Operator of Blue Flag. Our goal is for beaches
across Canada to meet national Blue Flag standards, ensuring that Canadians
enjoy clean beaches. For further information: or to arrange interviews,
please contact: Jennifer Foulds, Environmental Defence, (416) 323-9521
ext. 232, (647) 280-9521 (cell).
Beach Notes From the Publisher
As the Blue Flag designation is relatively new in Canada, there are many
1000’s of Ontario Beaches that are perfectly clean and healthy for
swimming, even though they may not be flying a Blue Flag Beach Designation.
A number of Georgian Bay Beaches can be found at Georgian
Bay Eco Museum Many additional Ontario Beaches north of Toronto can
be viewed at Ontario Public Beaches.
It is also important to note, the water at the healthiest of beaches
can sometimes be temporarily contaminated with exceptional run off from
heavy summer thunderstorms. Most municipalities will post signs when it
is not safe to swim in a designated beach area.
We encourage visitors to Ontario Beaches to become familiar with good
environment practices and develop a further understanding of beach ecology.
A good place to start
Learning how beaches interactive with our environment are on the Friends
of the Nancy Historical Site at Wasaga Beach section titled Beach
Environment. |
