Ottawa proposes three options to keep lifeguards on duty longer at city beaches [Video]

Keeping lifeguards on duty at Ottawa’s public beaches an extra eight days until Labour Day would cost taxpayers $59,000 a year, while extending supervised swimming hours at beaches an extra hour a day through the summer would cost $70,000.

The estimate comes as Ottawa continues to enjoy a stretch of mild weather, with the temperature hitting 29 C on Sunday and the forecast calling for highs of 29 C on Monday and 28 C on Tuesday.

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Lifeguards were on duty at Ottawa’s public beaches daily from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. this summer, from June 15 to Aug. 25.  The City of Ottawa’s Beach Supervised Swimming Program is funded to operate for 72 days, with lifeguards on duty until the fourth Sunday in August every summer.

Coun. Sean Devine submitted an inquiry to staff asking …