FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2026
CUPE 1004 calls for action to restore lifeguard services after funding decision delayed
CUPE 1004 is disappointed that Vancouver City Council has chosen to refer a motion to restore seasonal lifeguard services back to the Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation, rather than approving funding to reinstate coverage at affected beaches.
The motion, brought forward by Councillor Pete Fry, would have allocated up to $600,000 to restore lifeguard services ahead of the summer season. A majority of ABC councillors, along with the Mayor, voted to refer the motion, while four councillors (Fry, Orr, Maloney, and Bligh) opposed the referral and supported approving the funding.
“Lifeguard services are a core public safety function,” said CUPE 1004 President-elect Michael Robinson in his remarks to Council. “Without trained professionals on our beaches, response times increase and so do the risks. These are not simple environments to navigate, especially for visitors or people who are unfamiliar with the water.”
More than 3,000 people have signed a petition calling for lifeguards to be reinstated. CUPE 1004 members delivered those signatures to City Hall on Wednesday, alongside many residents and beachgoers who spoke in favour of restoring the service.
CUPE 1004 represents outdoor lifeguards who work to prevent incidents and respond when emergencies occur at some of Vancouver’s busiest beaches.
With the summer season approaching, the union is concerned that further delays will make it more difficult to ensure lifeguards are in place in time for peak beach use.
“People expect that when they go to a Vancouver beach, there will be trained professionals there to keep them safe,” Robinson said. “We’re asking decision-makers to prioritize public safety and restore this service as soon as possible.”
