Vancouver needs lifeguards
The city is willing to pay them well.
Canada's labour market often needs new employees. This time, the Vancouver Parks and Recreation Department needs more people. On Saturday, they said they were woefully short of lifeguards.
Three beaches and two public pools were left unsupervised this weekend. Vancouver residents were advised to be cautious there, to swim only in shallow water and at their own risk — there is no lifeguard to back up vacationers.
Last month, Vancouver officials said they are hiring certified lifeguards and are willing to pay them well. Parks and Recreation Department head Steve Kellock says hiring lifeguards is the department's top priority.
In 2022, Vancouver could not find enough lifeguards for its beaches, so some of them were closed. Because of this, the city lost money that vacationers could have spent in the area.
To remedy the situation, the city administration is offering really good salaries. Lifeguards working in indoor pools will get between CAD 25.21 to CAD 29.63 per hour plus a 12% bonus. Those who work at the outdoor beaches get at least CAD 30.81 per hour. They also get a 12% bonus.
