The City of Barrie Marina will fly the Blue Flag for the first time this summer, making it the first marina on Lake Simcoe to receive the prestigious eco-label.
”This is a great accomplishment for our City,” says Mayor Jeff Lehman. “Being a City by the Bay, our water is one of our greatest assets, and the Blue Flag represents our dedication to ensuring we protect this natural resource for future generations to enjoy.”
The Blue Flag award is administered in Canada by Environmental Defence and is managed internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education.
The internationally renowned eco-certification acknowledges that a beach or marina is clean, swimmable and meets high safety and environmental standards.
"This award is the result of the great work done by the marina operators who recognize the importance of protecting the marina and local shoreline habitat," said Brett Tyron, Blue Flag Program Manager with Environmental Defence. "Everyone involved in this achievement deserves recognition for their efforts and we congratulate them all.”
The internationally renowned eco-certification acknowledges that a beach or marina is clean, swimmable and meets high safety and environmental standards.
Another marina and beach in Ontario have also been awarded the Blue Flag: Bell Park Beach in Sudbury and LaSalle Park Marina in Burlington.
Gimli Beach in Gimli, Man., is among the newest additions to the list.
The Blue Flag award is administered in Canada by Environmental Defence and is managed internationally by the Foundation for Environmental Education.
More than 4,000 beaches and marinas have been certified in 49 countries worldwide.
Here is the list of the 24 beaches and four marinas that have previously received the Blue Flag in Canada and were awarded the distinction again this year:
MANITOBA
West Grand Beach (Grand Beach Provincial Park)
Winnipeg Beach (Winnipeg Beach Provincial Park)
NOVA SCOTIA
Birch Cove Beach (Dartmouth)
Halifax Waterfront (Halifax)
ONTARIO
Bayfield Main Beach and Bluewater Marina (Municipality of Bluewater)
Bluffer's Park Beach (Toronto)
Centre Island Beach (Toronto)
Cherry Beach (Toronto)
Gibraltar Point Beach (Toronto)
Hanlan's Point Beach (Toronto)
Kew-Balmy Beach (Toronto)
Ward's Island Beach (Toronto)
Woodbine Beach (Toronto)
Canatara Park Beach (Sarnia)
Grand Bend Beach, Grand Bend Marina and Port Franks Marina (Municipality of Lambton Shores)
Port Stanley Main Beach (Municipality of Central Elgin)
Sauble Beach (Town of South Bruce Peninsula)
Station Beach (Kincardine)
Wasaga Beach areas 1, 2 and 5 (Wasaga Beach Provincial Park)
Waubuno Beach (Parry Sound)
QUEBEC
Plage de l'Est, Plage de l'Ouest, Plage des Cantons (Ville de Magog)
-With files from The Canadian Press
