In The News
Georgian Bay Beaches Receive 2008 Blue Flag
 Georgian
Bay, Ontario...........June 2008. Georgian Bay beaches
in Ontario Canada are being awarded the international Blue
Flag certification, Environmental Defence announced as the
summer beach season kicked off last week. Two Georgian Bay
beaches in the Town of the Blue Mountains (Little River Beach
Park, Northwinds Beach Park. Both beaches are near the town
of Collingwood. A third Wasaga Beach in Wasaga Beach Provincial
Park, in the town
of Wasaga Beach.
The beaches received the Blue Flag designation after meeting
27 strict standards, covering everything from water
quality, to environmental management, to safety and services.
"We're very proud of these beaches that are joining thousands
of
world-class beaches in receiving the Blue Flag award. Behind
each award is a community of people making a commitment to
environmental sustainability and best practices," said
Sarah Winterton, Outreach Director of Environmental Defence,
which runs the Blue Flag program in Canada.
An additional nine Ontario Blue Flag beaches join more than
2,600 in 36 countries around the world. As part of the Blue
Flag requirements, beaches in Canada must meet Ontario's standards
for recreational water quality (the most stringent in North
America) at least 80% of the swimming season. Water quality
test results for each Blue Flag beach are available on Environmental
Defence's
Blue Flag web site - www.BlueFlag.ca.
Beaches are certified by two independent juries - the Blue
Flag Great
Lakes Regional Jury and the International Blue Flag Jury.
Blue Flags are awarded at the beginning of each swimming season.
Beaches can lose their Blue Flags during the season if they
fail to meet the required standards.
"With climate change, pollution and even urban development
threatening our beaches and coastal areas, the Blue Flag is
critical for making sure these precious places are protected
now. Having a clean beach on your doorstep is a tremendous
benefit for the whole community. We want to make sure they
are there for generations to come," said Winterton.
About Blue Flag (www.BlueFlag.ca):
The Foundation for Environmental
Education (FEE), based in Denmark, owns and operates the Blue
Flag Program. Since 1987, Blue Flag has grown to include more
than 2,600 beaches in 36 countries. Environmental Defence
is the Canadian National Operator of Blue Flag. Our goal is
for beaches across Canada to meet national Blue Flag standards,
ensuring that Canadians enjoy clean beaches. Blue Flag Canada
is supported by the Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency
of the Government of Ontario.
About Environmental Defence (www.environmentaldefence.ca):
Environmental Defence protects the environment and human health.
We research solutions. We educate. We go to court when we
have to. All in order to ensure clean air, clean water and
thriving ecosystems nationwide, and to bring a halt to Canada’s
contribution to climate change.
For further information: or to arrange interviews, please
contact:
Jennifer Foulds, Environmental Defence, (416) 323-9521 ext.
232, (647)
280-9521 (cell)
To view additional Georgian Bay Beach areas and destinations
around the Georgian Bay Area see Georgian
Bay North of Toronto.
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