Good news for swimmers and sailors: more Canadian beaches and marinas certified as clean and sustainable

This summer, Canadians can visit 26 beaches and seven marinas across the country, which have received the prestigious international Blue Flag award.

TORONTO, May 19, 2016 /CNW/ - With the Victoria Day long weekend almost here, 26 beaches and seven marinas across Canada have been awarded the Blue Flag—a world-renowned eco-certification for beaches and marinas. To receive a Blue Flag, beaches and marinas must meet high international standards in water quality, environmental management, environmental education, and safety and services.

This year, Port Glasgow Beach in Port Glasgow, ON and Victoria Beach in Cobourg, ON are the latest beaches to receive the Blue Flag. Also, the Blue Flag will fly for the first time in British Columbia, as Gibsons Marina in Gibsons, BC has obtained the award.

"Visitors want to know which Canadian beaches and marinas are the best to visit and the Blue Flag helps to eliminate the guess work," said Ashley Wallis, Blue Flag Program Manager with Environmental Defence. "When you see a Blue Flag flying, you are assured that a beach or marina is clean and meets high safety, water quality, and environmental standards. It's a symbol trusted by millions around the world."

The Blue Flag is administered in Canada by Environmental Defence and is managed internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). More than 4,000 beaches and marinas in 49 countries fly the Blue Flag.

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

British Columbia

• Gibsons Marina (Gibsons)

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 Glasgow Beach (Municipality of West Elgin)
• Port Stanley Main Beach (Municipality of Central Elgin)
• Victoria Beach (Cobourg)
• 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.

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]