Red Cross swimming program coming to an end in 2022
The Canadian Red Cross will no longer be providing swimming and lifeguard lessons.
The organization has been teaching people how to swim for three-quarters of a century, but it said it needs to direct more attention toward areas such as its disaster and pandemic response.
"The move ends an era that began in 1946 – when drowning rates in Canada were considerably higher than those we see today. Since then, Red Cross has provided swim training and lifesaving skills to more than 40 million Canadians," the organization said in a release.
"We are enormously proud of what we have accomplished in providing water safety training and we are truly grateful to entire generations of staff and volunteers who dedicated themselves to creating a program of the highest standard," said CEO Conrad Sauvé, in a news release.
Aqua Essence Swim Academy is a training partner with the Red Cross and Rishona Hyman, the owner and founder of the academy, said they found about the news on Tuesday.
She said she was surprised by the decision.
"Honestly, my initial thought was that it's an end of era," said Hyman. "Everyone took Red Cross lessons, like everyone we know, it's just what you did."
Hyman added the Red Cross has been a constant presence since her business opened 20 years ago and there will now be a "void".
"It's very emotional."
She said the Red Cross lessons will be in place for the rest of the year but organizations are being told to transition to different options.
The Red Cross said companies should shift to programs offered by the Lifesaving Society of Canada.
A spokesperson for the City of Winnipeg said the Red Cross will continue to support the city for the rest of the year as it works on a transition.
"Leisure Guide Learn to Swim programming will continue as offered and planned for now, with no changes to the current Winter session. Additional information will be shared as we work with the Canadian Red Cross on this transition," the spokesperson said.
They added they don't believe the transition between programs will impact the ability to provide quality lessons.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW From yearning for a change to cost of living, why some Canadians have left or may leave the country
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
NEW Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.
Defence attacks Stormy Daniels' credibility as she returns to the stand in Trump's hush money trial
Stormy Daniels will return to the witness stand Thursday in Donald Trump's hush money trial as the defence tries to undermine the credibility of the porn actor's salacious testimony about their alleged sexual encounter and the money she was paid to keep quiet.
With contactless screening tech, this Toronto startup hopes to catch breast cancer early — and save lives
Amid evidence of rising breast cancer rates among young women in Canada, one Toronto startup is offering a contactless and radiation-free device that can help doctors identify suspicious changes in breast tissue. The company, Linda Lifetech, says this can lead to earlier detection of breast cancer.
Tornadoes tear through southeastern U.S. as storms leave 3 dead
Forecasters warned a wave of dangerous storms in the U.S. could wash over parts of the South early Thursday, a day after severe weather with damaging tornadoes and large hail killed at least three people in the region.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.