Every summer, heartbreaking stories remind us how quickly lives can be lost to drowning. In Ontario, nearly half of drownings happen in lakes and ponds, and another 20 per cent occur in rivers. Despite these risks, many children and youth still don’t have access to swimming lessons or water safety education.
The Safe Futures initiative is working to change that. Launched in Toronto, the program focuses on reaching at-risk youth—children who otherwise might never have the chance to learn these essential skills.
Why It Matters
Children are naturally drawn to water, whether it’s a pool, river, or lake. But without proper training, a fun day can turn into tragedy. Recent drowning incidents in Ontario have shaken entire communities and renewed calls for action to make water safety a priority.
The Safe Futures program is built around the “Swim to Survive” standard, which teaches three lifesaving skills:
Safely rolling into deep water
Treading water for one minute
Swimming 50 metres to safety
These skills are not about becoming a strong swimmer—they are about survival. The ability to stay afloat and reach safety can prevent countless tragedies.
Removing Barriers for Families and Schools
One of the biggest challenges in water safety is access. Many families cannot afford swimming lessons, and not all schools have the facilities or resources to include them in physical education.
Safe Futures takes those barriers away. The program covers the full cost of participation, including:
Transportation to and from lessons
Bathing suits for children who don’t own one
Snacks to keep students comfortable and cared for
By removing financial and logistical obstacles, the initiative ensures that no child is left behind.
Building a Community Solution
The program is designed to be more than just lessons—it’s a community effort. Local businesses, city councillors, school boards, and organizations are being invited to support the project. The goal is to make drowning prevention a shared responsibility, where every partner plays a role in keeping children safe.
The first pilot sessions will begin this fall, with feedback from participants helping shape how the program grows. If successful, the Safe Futures model could expand beyond Toronto, giving communities across Ontario and Canada a blueprint to follow.
A Safer Future for All Children
Drowning is preventable. By investing in education, building partnerships, and ensuring equal access, Safe Futures is creating opportunities for children to learn skills that will last a lifetime.
This initiative is about more than swimming—it’s about saving lives, giving families peace of mind, and ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has the chance to feel safe around water.
Together, as a community, we can help build a future without senseless drownings.
