GNWT lauded for drowning prevention
Water Safety campaigned recognized by national organization
Lyndsay Herman
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, December 11, 2013
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Since 2009, the NWT's drowning rate has been cut in half compared to the previous five-year period, a fact that has earned the territorial government a prestigious award for public safety.
The Canadian Collaborative Centre for Injury Prevention awarded the GNWT for its collaborative work involving 14 organizations and government departments with the Award for Collaborative Excellence.
"We've never won it before and we'll probably never win it again," said Earl Blacklock, manager of public affairs and communications for the Department of Transportation. "It's a pretty big deal."
The centre granted the award based on the achievements of the Water Smart program and the NWT Drowning Prevention Action Plan, which are partnerships between the GNWT the Lifesaving Society of Alberta and the NWT, and other organizations.
The award was a surprise for some in Yellowknife following the tragic drowning of seven-year-old Lodune Shelley this summer at Fred Henne Territorial Park and the controversy which erupted over the lack of lifeguards at Long Lake.
"The drowning of Lodune Shelley at Long Lake beach was a tragic moment for the city of Yellowknife and there are still open sores to mend," stated David Silke in an e-mail to Yellowknifer on behalf of Lifeguards for Lodune.
"We have a very local perspective and interest in water safety. We are parents, concerned citizens, primarily concerned with the safety of Yellowknife's children. Lifeguards for Lodune is pleased to hear that the GNWT is also active outside the borders of our town trying to promote safe water practices."
Industry, Tourism, and Investment Minister David Ramsay conditionally committed to bringing lifeguards to Long Lake in October, providing a Lifesaving Society of Alberta and NWT report in progress finds lifeguards will be a significant safety improvement to the popular summer-time swimming area.
"Quite frankly, the Lifesaving Society has done some pretty great things. We've got to look at their contribution to the overall health and well-being of the everyone in the Northwest Territories," said Range Lake MLA Darryl Dolynny, who was vocally supportive of having lifeguards at Long Lake during the last session of the legislative assembly.
"I think the numbers speak for themselves. We have seen a decrease in drowning, which is a good thing," Dolynny said. "We're still higher than the national average - that's a bad thing - but I think we're moving toward the national average. We are at a bit of a disadvantage in that we are surrounded by water everywhere and our lifestyle involves us on the water, which likely puts us at a higher risk than other parts of Canada."
The recent tragedy notwithstanding, the number of drownings in the NWT is down by more than 50 per cent over the past five years. The number of drownings in the territory is still five times higher than the national per capita average.
"This is a really effective collaboration (with the Lifesaving Society) because of the fact that we are not only doing what we used to do, but we're leveraging the collaboration to do much more and it's been a very effective approach. I think that's why we were recognized with the national award," said Blacklock.
"All of us continue to do what we do best ... We just do it better, much better."
NWT drowning statistics
- There were no drownings in the NWT in 2011
- There were 36 drownings between 2004 and 2008
- There have been 16 drownings from 2009 to date.
- NWT drowning statistics are five times higher than the national per capita average
Partners recognized by the Award for Collaborative Excellence
- Department of Health and Social Services
- Department of Municipal and Community Affairs
- Department of Transportation
- Department of Education, Culture and Employment
- Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment
- NWT Coroner's Office
- Royal Life Saving Society
- Transport Canada
- Workers' Safety and Compensation Commission
- Northwest Territories Recreation and Parks Association
- Dene Nation
- Inuvialuit Regional Corporation
- Coast Guard Auxiliary
- Power and Sail Squadron
Source: GNWT
