The idea is to ask the provincial government make this mandatory in schools, to prevent child drownings
Momentum is building for a St. Catharines man who wants mandatory swimming lessons in all Ontario schools.
Mike Williams, who lost his two grandchildren to drowning this summer, just got Niagara Falls to lobby Ontario's Minister of Education to get this done.
Councillor Ruth-Ann Nieuwesteeg noted there are patrols around local waterways, but more is needed. "Really never thought of the idea of bringing it into the schools, and it is that level ground work, depending on peoples' socio-economic background, or parents' ability to pay for swimming lessons, I think this is a really good, positive movement."
Mike Williams recently spoke to Niagara regional council, and was successful.
Mayor Jim Diodati pointed out his kids are all lifeguards. "I've said this to everyone, it's a life skill. You don't intend to end up in the water. I remember when I was in elementary school, they did take us to the Y, and they taught us to swim. I don't know when that changed, but for us my parents made sure we knew how to swim, and I think we all need to."
Mike Williams added he doesn't want another family to go through what they have.
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