Two people remained in critical condition on July 5, 2026, after a rescue operation at the Lachine Canal, prompting Quebec's water safety organization to demand immediate provincial funding for drowning prevention.
The Société de sauvetage urged the upcoming provincial government to solidify financial backing for its school swimming curriculum, aiming to make these safety measures permanent.
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Data from the organization shows 22 drowning fatalities in Quebec so far this year, matching the same period in 2025.
However, river drownings now account for 60 percent of deaths, up from 27 percent last year.
Call for Permanent Funding
Executive director Raynald Hawkins stressed that securing permanent status for the educational initiative is vital to reducing future accident rates.
"We hope the next government can ensure this program continues because, according to the coroner, it is by investing in young students that many drownings can be prevented in the future," Hawkins said.
Hawkins noted that the public often misjudges river hazards due to a deceptive calm on the surface.
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"Sometimes our rivers look inviting because they seem calm on the surface," he said.
"But the currents can be just as strong, if not stronger, than during the spring freshet. It's just that the water levels are lower."
He advised residents to restrict river swimming to locations with officially monitored beaches.
The safety group stressed that bystanders should avoid entering the water during an emergency, instead contacting emergency services and using ropes or poles.
Hawkins also addressed shifting demographic trends, noting that immigrants are increasingly represented in provincial drowning statistics.
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Community groups found that many newcomers feel comfortable entering natural bodies of water despite lacking basic swimming skills.
