Nine beaches in Toronto got International Blue Flag Certification. Blue Flag Program is owned by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). It has grown to 36 countries with more than 2,600 beaches. Environmental Defence makes sure that beaches in Canada are very clean and they get Blue Flag Certification. Beaches trying for Blue Flag must have good water, environmental management, environmental education and safety and services.
The Blue Flag Great Lakes Regional Jury and the International Blue Flag Jury are the two juries that give certification after judging the standards. The Blue Flag Certification is granted in the start of each swimming season. If beaches fail to meet the standards during the season then they lose the certification. Sarah Winterton, the Programme Director of Environmental Defence said,
We’re so pleased to present these world-class beaches with the Blue Flag. Flying a Blue Flag shows Canadians and tourists that these are exceptional beaches and are clean for swimming.
If you see a blue flag on the beach then you need not think twice. A blue flag attracts lots of tourists to enjoy the vacation at these special beaches by swimming or simply lying down having sunbath. Six beaches among nine that lies on Lake Ontario, Toronto are Cherry Beach, Hanlan’s Point Beach, Ward’s Island Beach, Centre Island Beach and Gibraltar Point Beach.
Other three beaches are Wasaga Beach, Station Beach and Sauble Beach. The beaches like Rotary Cove Beach, Canatara Park Beach, Northwinds Beach Park, Little River Beach Park and Main Beach are Candidate Blue Flag beaches that await Blue Flag, which could be distributed in the beginning of 2008.
Via: CNW TELBEC