Three Canadian beaches have been added to the list of 'Blue Flag' locations for 2014 and two of those are in Ontario.
Canatara Park Beach in Sarnia, Ont., Waubuno Beach in Parry Sound, Ont. and Winnipeg Beach at Winnipeg Beach Provincial Park, Man., are the newest beaches to receive the prestigious label.
The 'Blue Flag' program, an international certification for beaches and marinas, run in Canada by ENvironmental Defence is also marking 10 years in the country.
To date, 24 beaches and four marinas in Canada have been given the designation, meaning they have met international standards for water quality, environmental management, environmental education and safety and services.
Brett Tryon, Blue Flag Canada Program Manager, said in a statement, “No matter where you go, when you see a Blue Flag flying, you know you are at one of the best beaches or marinas in the world – one that is clean, has excellent facilities, and meets high safety and environmental standards.”
Canada’s first Blue Flags were flown in 2005 at four of Toronto’s beaches, and there are now beaches and marinas certified in Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec.
In Ontario, the beaches and marinas certified include:
- Bayfield Main Beach and Bluewater Marina (Municipality of Bluewater)
- Bluffer’s Park Beach, Centre Island Beach, Cherry Beach, Gibraltar Point Beach, Hanlan’s Point Beach, Kew-Balmy Beach, Ward’s Island Beach and Woodbine Beach (Toronto)
- Canatara Park Beach (Sarnia)
- Grand Bend Beach, Grand Bend Marina and Port Franks Marina (Municipality of Lambton Shores)
- Port Stanley Main Beach (Municipality of Central Elgin)
- Sauble Beach (Town of South Bruce Peninsula)
- Station Beach (Kincardine)
- Wasaga Beach areas 1, 2 and 5 (Wasaga Beach Provincial Park)
- Waubuno Beach (Parry Sound)
More details about the Blue Flag program and the certified marinas and beaches can be found at: BlueFlag.ca
