Blue Flags Return to Seven Toronto Beaches

City of Toronto meeting criteria once again after labour disruption ends

TORONTO, Aug. 13 /CNW/ - Environmental Defence has given the green light for the Blue Flag to be raised again at seven Toronto beaches, following the resolution of the municipal labour disruption. The City of Toronto is once again meeting Blue Flag's rigorous and internationally-recognized criteria for clean and sustainable beaches.

Blue Flag certification requires that, amongst other criteria, washroom facilities are available on beaches, garbage is picked up frequently and water
quality tests are conducted at least weekly. During the municipal labour disruption, these services were disrupted. However, they have now been fully restored to Toronto beaches.

Toronto's Blue Flag beaches are: Kew-Balmy, Woodbine, Cherry, Ward's Island, Centre Island, Gibralter Point, and Hanlan's Point. Results from daily water quality testing indicate that the Blue Flag beaches are consistently good for swimming.

Check www.blueflag.ca for the latest information about Blue Flag beaches in Toronto and throughout Ontario.

Background

Beaches or marinas get certified under the Blue Flag program after meeting high international standards around water quality, environmental education, environmental management, and safety and services.

Environmental Defence is the Canadian Operator of the Blue Flag Program. 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. www.environmentaldefence.ca

The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization consisting of member organizations representing 58 countries in Europe, Africa, Oceania and America. FEE actively promotes and delivers education about the environment and sustainable development through international programs such as the Blue Flag Program.
www.fee-international.org

For further information: or to arrange interviews, please contact: Jennifer Foulds, Environmental Defence, (416) 323-9521 ext. 232, (647) 280-9521 (cell)

638-8438, licenik.jitka@ctc-cct.ca, www.mediacentre.canada.travel/