A trustee with the Louis Riel School Division (LRSD) is working to implement a school program where students would learn to swim as part of the curriculum.
Ryan Palmquist, the LRSD trustee for ward 3, has put forward a proposal that would provide all Grades 3 and 4 students in the division with a four-week water safety course at City of Winnipeg facilities.
If adopted, elementary school students would have the opportunity to learn the basics of swimming. This includes learning how to float, how to avoid panicking in the water, and other simple swimming strokes.
“It will not be a comprehensive swimming course that will teach them how to become good swimmers, but it will teach them how to survive in the water,” he explained.
“That is really the priority because we are facing a growing crisis of youth drownings that have been happening in recent years, and overwhelmingly it is marginalized students and new Canadian youth who are the most vulnerable to drowning in Manitoba.”
Palmquist noted the Winnipeg and Seven Oaks School Divisions have similar programs, with his proposal garnering support from newcomer organizations and the Lifesaving Society.
He is proposing this $120,000/year program be included in the 2025/2026 budget.
“It’s a huge return on investment,” he said. “It’s very affordable, and it can be implemented immediately if funded in the upcoming budget.”
- With files from CTV’s Scott Andersson.
