Guelph, like most other municipalities, is experiencing a lifeguard shortage.
That shortage was highlighted recently when the City of Guelph had to temporarily cancel some daytime programming at the Centennial pool.
"Yes, the city is absolutely experiencing lifeguard shortage in terms of its daytime work," said Heather Flaherty, the city's general manager of parks and recreation.
The city pools employ roughly 150 people, all on a part-time basis, but that doesn't meet all the demand, which include regular lifeguarding duties, swimming lessons, fitness classes and other pool programming.
"There's very rarely a time where if you apply that we're not going to be able to find you some work," Flaherty said of qualified candidates.
"It's not like we have a pool of 500 and we're picking six," she said. "If we have a pool of 50 then all 50 are likely getting hired."
Flaherty said it's not just a Guelph issue.
"Industry-wise, this isn't anything new. It isn't just a Guelph issue. I could pull up the parks and recreation Ontario job listing every day and see people looking for aquatic staff," Flaherty said.
Growing demand, the cost and time involved in becoming a qualified lifeguard and the increase in the minimum wage all have an impact, she said.
The increase in minimum wage definitely had an impact, she said, one of many factors.
"Aquatic staff are always sought after because it does take some time, energy and effort to become a lifeguard," Flaherty said.
The minimum wage increase played its part.
"Make no mistake, it's there. When they increased the minimum wage, it had an impact .... it's one of the many factors. I don't want to pinpoint it on one. But there's certainly an impact.," she said.
Whereas before lifeguarding might have paid more than some other entry level jobs for younger people, the $14 minimum wage has closed that gap.
The pay between working at Tim Hortons and as a lifeguard is now similar. But it doesn't cost money or take several certifications to work at Tim Hortons, Flaherty said.
Lifeguards are also traditionally only employed with the city for a short time before they move on for school reasons or full-time jobs.
Lifeguards also traditionally only work two or three years with the city, then they go off to university or they get full-time jobs, Flaherty said.
"We're constantly in recruitment mode in aquatics. There's a constant turnover."
The city is looking at how to address the situation both internally and in regards to working with other municipalities.
