Amid Lifeguard Shortage, Mayor Tory Suggests Residents Just Stay In The Shallow End Of Pool

By Scott Slute

Toronto - Despite a lack of lifeguards Toronto mayor John Tory says that city pools will still open in July. The mayor assured Torontonians that despite the lack of staff, pools were almost completely safe if you just stay in the parts where you can touch the bottom.

The mayor says that after consulting with the city’s chief lifeguard, the data indicates that most pool-related incidents occur when swimmers go into too deep of water. He recommends that by using proper judgement almost all the blame for accidents can be put onto swimmers

And although Toronto public pools are experiencing a mass shortage of qualified lifeguards, Tory says he and his team are exploring the possibility of employing unqualified workers.

“I feel like even if you don’t have all the correct paperwork, almost anyone could be a lifeguard,” explained Tory, “Most of the job is just telling people not to run. How many times have you actually seen someone drown at a pool?”

The mayor still says that the safest way to prevent drowning is to follow all public health recommendations and stay in the shallow end. For residents wishing to head to the deep end, the mayor suggests swimmers purchase their own private lifeguard.

Scott Slute is the Editor in Chief at The Toronto Harold