For the first time ever, Port Glasgow Beach has been named one of Canada's cleanest.
The Elgin County beach is among 26 across the country that will fly the world-renowned Blue Flag this summer. Seven marinas have also been Blue Flag certified.
“Visitors want to know which Canadian beaches and marinas are the best to visit and the Blue Flag helps to eliminate the guess work,” says Ashley Wallis, Blue Flag program manager with Environmental Defence. “When you see a Blue Flag flying, you are assured that a beach or marina is clean and meets high safety, water quality, and environmental standards. It’s a symbol trusted by millions around the world.”
Port Glasgow joins Port Stanley Beach as the second beach on Lake Erie to earn the prestigious eco-certification.
“Port Glasgow is proud to be flying the internationally recognized Blue Flag at Port Glasgow Beach this summer," says Jeff Yurek, MPP for Elgin-Middlesex-London. "The Blue Flag designation puts us on the world map and we can proudly celebrate being recognized as having one of best beaches in the world."
Along with Port Glasgow Beach, Victoria Beach in Cobourg, Ontario, and Gibsons Marina, in Gibsons, British Columbia will also fly the Blue Flag for the first time this year.
More than 4,000 beaches and marinas in 49 countries fly the Blue Flag.
In order to receive the flag beaches and marinas must meet high international standards in water quality, environmental management, environmental education, and safety and services.
Below is the full list of 26 beaches and seven marinas that have received the Blue Flag in Canada for 2016:
British Columbia
· Gibsons Marina (Gibsons)
Manitoba:
· Gimli Beach (Town of Gimli)
· 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)
· Bell Park Beach (Sudbury)
· Bluffer’s Park Beach, Centre Island Beach, Cherry Beach, Gibraltar Point Beach, Hanlan’s Point Beach, Kew-Balmy Beach, Ward’s Island Beach and Woodbine Beach (Toronto)
· Canatara Park Beach (Sarnia)
· City of Barrie Marina (Barrie)
· Grand Bend Beach, Grand Bend Marina and Port Franks Marina (Municipality of Lambton Shores)
· LaSalle Park Marina (Burlington)
· Port Glasgow Beach (Municipality of West Elgin)
· Port Stanley Main Beach (Municipality of Central Elgin)
· Victoria Beach (Cobourg)
· Wasaga Beach areas 1, 2 and 5 (Wasaga Beach Provincial Park)
· Waubuno Beach (Parry Sound)
Quebec:
· plage de l’Est, plage de l’Ouest, and plage des Cantons (Ville de Magog)
