Following a tragic summer on the waters of British Columbia, a group of four friends from Squamish is pushing for the installation of rescue gear at provincial parks. The province has seen a rise in drownings, with 42 fatalities reported this year compared to 27 during the same period last year, according to the British Columbia and Yukon Lifesaving Society.
Lenea Grace, the society’s executive director, expressed concern over the increase, stressing the importance of equipping individuals to make safe decisions while on the water. She highlighted that a significant number of drowning incidents in B.C. involve the absence of life jackets.
In late May, a tragic incident occurred at Browning Lake in Murrin Provincial Park, where a couple lost their lives after falling off a paddleboard. In response to this tragedy, Auni Dayton, Ella Henriques, Zoë Prescott, and Zeia Dayton banded together to propose safety enhancements.
Henriques, passionate about policy advocacy, emphasized citizen engagement with the government to drive change. The group drafted a letter to the Squamish District Mayor and council, requesting improvements at local swimming spots. Their suggestions included implementing life jacket-loaner systems, enhancing signage, and providing better swimming education.
Furthermore, they proposed the installation of rescue buoys or rings at popular provincial lakes such as Alice Lake, Browning Lake, and Cat Lake. Squamish Mayor Armand Hurford endorsed these safety initiatives, stressing the shared responsibility to ensure public safety in these areas.
Despite their efforts, both the advocates and the mayor are yet to receive a response from the province. The Ministry of Environment and Parks clarified that B.C. Parks does not supply life jackets or rescue stations in provincial parks, stating that visitors are expected to be knowledgeable about safe conduct during park activities.
Grace from the Lifesaving Society expressed disappointment at this stance, emphasizing the potential life-saving impact of accessible loaner life jackets. The society is hopeful that Transport Canada will mandate life jackets for adults on paddleboards.
The group of friends remains steadfast in their mission to promote water safety, advocating for swift action to prevent drownings. Their message underscores the urgency of implementing preventive measures to safeguard lives on the waters of British Columbia.
