Eight beaches in Toronto are flying blue flags this summer, signifying that they meet high environmental standards.
The Blue Flag program, an international eco-label managed by the Denmark-based Foundation of Environmental Education, recognizes beaches that meet strict standards for water quality, environmental management, environmental education, and safety and services.
Toronto’s Blue Flag beaches this summer include: 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.
There are nine other beaches and marinas in Ontario that earned Blue Flags for this summer. And for the first time, beaches and marinas outside of Ontario also became certified for Blue Flags, including the West Grand Beach on Lake Winnipeg in Manitoba, Plage de l‘Est, Plage de l’Ouest and Plage des Cantons on Lake Memphremagog in Quebec, and Halifax Waterfront in Nova Scotia.
There are currently 3,098 Blue Flag beaches and 646 marinas in 46 countries around the world. Toronto was the first city in North America to apply for Blue Flags, and the program has been in Canada since 2005.
“Beach operators and volunteers have worked hard to earn this award and we are proud to see the Blue Flag community continue to grow,” said Brett Tryon, Blue Flag Coordinator for Environmental Defence, the operator of the program in Canada.
Several beaches in Canada are also participating as candidates to qualify for a Blue Flag in future years, including Canatara Park Beach in Sarnia and other beaches in Nova Scotia and B.C.
