Four more Canadian beaches and marinas receive international Blue Flag status

This summer, Canadians can visit 26 beaches and six marinas across the country, which have been certified as clean and sustainable

TORONTO, May 20, 2015 /CNW/ - With summer about to start, 26 beaches and six marinas in Canada have been awarded the Blue Flag—an internationally renowned eco-certification for beaches and marinas.

This year, Gimli Beach in Gimli, MB, Bell Park Beach in Sudbury, ON, City of Barrie Marina in Barrie, ON, and LaSalle Park Marina in Burlington, ON are the newest Canadian beaches and marinas to receive the Blue Flag 

"A Blue Flag symbolizes that a beach or marina is clean, swimmable, and meets high safety and environmental standards," said Brett Tryon, Blue Flag Program Manager with Environmental Defence. "When you see a Blue Flag flying, you know you are at a world class beach or marina."

To receive a Blue Flag, beaches and marinas have to achieve high international standards in water quality, environmental management, environmental education, and safety and services.

The Blue Flag award is administered in Canada by Environmental Defence and is managed internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE).  Around the world, more than 4,000 beaches and marinas have been certified in 49 countries.

"The Blue Flag recognizes the hard work of beach and marina operators and local volunteers so Canadians can have clean and safe places to enjoy water," said Tryon. "We're proud that the Blue Flag program continues to expand across the country."

Here is the list of the 26 beaches and six marinas that have received the Blue Flag in Canada this year:

Manitoba:

• Gimli Beach (Town of Gimli)
• West Grand Beach (Grand Beach Provincial Park)
• Winnipeg Beach (Winnipeg Beach Provincial Park)

Nova Scotia:

• Birch Cove Beach (Dartmouth)
• Halifax Waterfront (Halifax)

Ontario:

• Bayfield Main Beach and Bluewater Marina (Municipality of Bluewater)
• Bell Park Beach (Sudbury)
• 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)
• City of Barrie Marina (Barrie)
• Grand Bend Beach, Grand Bend Marina and Port Franks Marina (Municipality of Lambton Shores)
• LaSalle Park Marina (Burlington)
• 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)

Quebec:

• plage de l'Est, plage de l'Ouest, and plage des Cantons (Ville de Magog)

More details about the Blue Flag program and the certified marinas and beaches can be found at BlueFlag.ca.

About Environmental Defence (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is the Canadian Operator of the Blue Flag Program. Environmental Defence is Canada's most effective environmental action organization. We challenge, and inspire change in government, business and people to ensure a greener, healthier and prosperous life for all.

About The Foundation for Environmental Education (fee-international.org): The Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization consisting of member organizations representing 68 countries worldwide. FEE actively promotes and delivers education about the environment and sustainable development through international programs such as the Blue Flag Program.

SOURCE Environmental Defence

For more information, images or interview requests please contact: Jen Mayville, Environmental Defence, 416-323-9521 ext. 228; 905-330-0172 (cell); [email protected]