The City of New Westminster has formally proclaimed July 19 to 25 as National Drowning Prevention Week, a move city council says is intended to raise awareness as British Columbia records an unusually high number of water-related fatalities this year.
Council acts amid an alarming trend
The proclamation was made during a city council meeting where Lenea Grace, executive director of the Lifesaving Society’s British Columbia and Yukon branch, briefed council members on the society’s annual July campaign. The Lifesaving Society is a charitable organisation devoted to preventing drowning through swim lessons, training, water-smart education and aquatic safety services.
Grace told council that July is typically the peak month for water-related incidents and that the 2026 campaign theme is Safety Starts with Being Water Smart. She said that, as of the briefing, at least 30 people in British Columbia had died in drowning-related incidents since Jan. 1, with additional fatalities under investigation and active searches ongoing.
“2026 has seen an alarming number of drownings in the province since Jan. 1. … We are seeing risky behaviour in B.C., including people not using lifejackets when boating or failing to take basic precautions in planning when it comes to safety for their swimming or paddling activities,” said Grace.
Mayor Patrick Johnstone thanked the Lifesaving Society for the reminder about water safety and noted the recent media coverage of drowning deaths and the upward trend in 2026. The mayor said the proclamation is intended to focus attention on practical steps residents can take to reduce risk.
What the Lifesaving Society is emphasising
The society is urging municipal partners, including New Westminster, to join in spreading simple yet effective safety messages this summer. Council documents and the Lifesaving Society’s outreach highlight core measures that can prevent many drownings:
- Wear lifejackets when boating or on personal watercraft.
- Supervise children closely near water; avoid distractions.
- Plan outings with weather, currents and access to help in mind.
- Learn swimming and rescue skills through accredited programs.
New Westminster joins other B.C. municipalities that have issued proclamations for National Drowning Prevention Week in 2026, including the City of Port Coquitlam and the Village of Belcarra.
Local consequences and context
New Westminster’s location along the Fraser River and close proximity to regional lakes and recreational waterways mean many residents swim, paddle or boat during summer months. City officials said the proclamation is intended to amplify public education efforts and partner with provincial and community organisations to reduce preventable deaths.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Proclaimed week | July 19–25, 2026 |
| Reported B.C. drownings (since Jan. 1, 2026) | At least 30 |
| Local partners noted | Port Coquitlam, Belcarra |
Officials stressed that drownings are preventable when individuals and communities take basic precautions. The Lifesaving Society has asked municipalities to help broadcast safety messages, encourage training, and promote the use of lifejackets and planning for safe aquatic activities.
New Westminster’s proclamation is largely educational and symbolic, but city leaders hope it will prompt residents to take common-sense precautions during what the Lifesaving Society warns may be a particularly dangerous summer on the water.
