Following two local drownings over the past two months, members of the local whitewater paddling community are calling for municipalities and MRCs to do more to support water safety and awareness. 

Jim Coffey of Esprit Rafting and rafting instructor Katelyn Bertrand attended the Aug. 20 MRC council of mayors meeting to promote increased safety on the Pontiac’s waterways.

From Jan. 1 to Jul. 21, no fewer than 37 people have drowned in Quebec. Two incidents have recently occurred in the Pontiac, including a 25-year old from Campbell’s Bay drowning in Otter Lake and an Aylmer man drowning in the Ottawa River near Quyon. 

Bertrand, who recently returned from a stint raft guiding in British Columbia, said these recent drownings spurred her to come speak to the mayors about the issue. 

She said a lack of awareness of water safety is an issue she encounters often, and that many incidents are preventable with additional education and safety measures taken. 

“They’re not accidental – they’re from not wearing a life jacket, they’re from not being aware of where you’re going, not being aware of very basic rescue and safety stuff,” she said in an interview with THE EQUITY, adding that alcohol often plays a factor.

Coffey suggested in the meeting that many immigrant communities who are coming to Canada may not be educated on the risks of swimming in rivers and lakes, and some may not know how to swim. 

Bertrand suggested MRCs and municipalities should play more of a role in promoting safety on the water, via educating about risks and also by having readily accessible personal flotation devices (PFDs) at public water access points. 

She said waterfront municipalities such as her own municipality of Campbell’s Bay should consider having rescue equipment dockside, so that people in distress can be easily helped. 

The Canadian Red Cross states that wearing a life jacket could eliminate almost 90 per cent of all boating-related drownings. 

“Aside from the sign that says ‘No Swimming,’ I can’t see any other rescue equipment such as life rings or flotation devices,” she said of the Campbell’s Bay dock.  

“In rescues, time is of the essence – seconds can be life-changing.”

She said more obvious signage could help people better understand the risks of entering the water, especially those at higher risk of drowning – young people between 24-44, people over 65, and immigrants. 

“In Chilliwack [British Columbia] there’s signs that say, ‘Don’t go below this bridge because people have died here,’” she said. 

She said the Canadian Red Cross and the Consortium de Sécurite en Rivière offer free programs and resources for awareness and education. 

“It’s just promoting it, a bit like fire prevention is promoted,” she said, adding that municipalities could promote these resources. 

Campbell’s Bay mayor Raymond Pilon said he will bring the issue to his council at this month’s meeting, as his municipality’s active dock makes water safety a concern.

“Katelyn brought up something, that municipalities can do more for water safety [ . . . ] I totally agree with Katelyn that certain things can be done for water safety,” he said.

MRC public security coordinator Julien Gagnon said there are certain things municipalities could do to improve safety, though ultimately the Sûreté du Québec enforces the laws when it comes to water safety. 

“Municipalities could certainly promote safety and install safety rings at docks,” he wrote, adding that the MRC and the SQ have been working on improving safety this summer. 

“The MRC council of mayors have made boater safety one of its two main priorities to be worked on this summer, [and] the SQ was to ensure 36 patrols across the MRC at boat launches in 2025,” he wrote to THE EQUITY.

It is not legally required to wear a life jacket on a boat or when in or near water, but it is required by law to have one nearby that is easy and accessible for each person on the boat. 

Coffey agreed with Bertrand’s statement that no drowning is accidental, and many of the reasons behind them can be prevented. 

“There’s always a reason why – and it’s likely not wearing a PFD or life jacket,” he said. 

Ultimately, Bertrand said that a lack of swimming ability needs to be addressed, in a region as tied to the water as is the Pontiac. 

“We are surrounded by water, and knowing how to swim is a very important thing [ . . . ] so people can make informed decisions about where they’re going, what they’re doing, and who they’re bringing with them, so they can make good decisions while they are out there having fun.”