Swim to Survive Push After Canal Tragedy | Montreal News

Two drownings in the Lachine Canal have reignited calls for permanent funding of The Lifesaving Society’s “Swim to Survive” program, as nearly half of all children in Canada can’t swim — putting them at serious risk. With 22 drownings this year — matching last year’s total — rivers are now responsible for 60% of incidents, up from 27%, despite lower water levels. Newcomers are disproportionately affected, prompting outreach in multiple languages and urgent swimming education. Experts warn that even those who can swim often don’t practice it, and water safety awareness is critical. When helping someone in distress, throw them a flotation device — don’t jump in. Over half of drowning deaths involve rescue attempts, often by untrained individuals. The recent canal rescue, involving hours of sonar and multiple agencies, highlights the life-or-death stakes of water safety. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/30e4041044a69a57