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City of Red Deer

Swim tops now optional at City of Red Deer Aquatics Facilities

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15 minute read

Aquatics guidelines updated to align with Alberta Human Rights Act

Updates to the Aquatics Facilities Use Guidelines have been made after developing a better understanding of the Alberta Human Rights Act. The main update, focusing on being inclusive while ensuring the health and safety of all visitors, is to swim attire requirements in City operated aquatics spaces.

Appropriate swim attire, which is now clearly defined in the guidelines, requires all swimmers to wear swim bottoms; the use of a swim top is a patron’s choice. The update is about more than just swim tops though; it’s about allowing options for different people, cultures and religions while still being safe. It is about allowing things like burkinis, full coverage of head/legs, allowing shorts and t-shirts, to name a few. The full definition of appropriate swim attire includes a broad variety of options to ensure all visitors can comfortably and safely access pool spaces.

“We do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity or gender expression. We are now in alignment with Alberta Human Rights Act,” said Ken McMullen, Acting City Manager. “We must always be looking at our own practices, operations, and services, finding ways to evolve and recognize the diversity in our community.”

The purpose of the Alberta Human Rights Act is to ensure all Albertans are offered an equal opportunity to earn a living, find a place to live, and enjoy services customarily available to the public without discrimination. The Act has not changed recently, however, several other cities in Alberta have recently adjusted their guidelines, which triggered a review of The City’s aquatics guidelines.

“We are constantly connecting with community, reviewing recreation industry leading practices and working with other communities to understand how we can adjust our operations to fulfil our commitment of providing accessible recreation opportunities for everyone,” said Barb McKee, Recreation Superintendent. “This update is a perfect example of how important that collaboration is; it pushes us to continually develop a better understanding of the needs of our community, and what shifts we need to make to align them with regulating bodies.”

Before heading to one of our aquatic facilities, take a read through our detailed Question and Answer sheet FAQ – Updated Aquatics Facilities Use Guidelines (pdf), or review the newly updated Aquatics Facilities User Guidelines Aquatics Facilities Use Guidelines (pdf).

Appropriate swim attire defined in Aquatics Facilities Use Guidelines

 

The City of Red Deer adjusted its Aquatics Facilities Use Guidelines to align with Alberta Human Rights Act, by clearly defining appropriate swim attire.

  1. What adjustments have been made to the swim attire requirements?

    In the updated guidelines, swim attire is clearly defined and focuses on being inclusive while ensuring the health and safety of all visitors. In the definition, it outlines that all aquatics visitors must wear swim bottoms; the use of a swim top is a patron’s choice. This change isn’t just about not being required to wear a swim top. It is about our definition of appropriate swim attire recognizing options for different cultures, religions etc. It is about clearly outlining that we allow attire like Burkinis, full coverage of head/legs, allowing shorts and t-shirts, to name a few.

    Previously in the Aquatic Facilities Use Guidelines, appropriate swim attire was not defined. Prior to the adjustments to the guidelines, The City’s practice for appropriate swim attire required bottoms and tops for females, and bottoms for males, in addition to other best practices for attire that limits health and safety risks for our staff and visitors.

  2. Are the guidelines in alignment with the Alberta Human Rights Act?
    Yes, the revised guidelines are in alignment with the Alberta Human Rights Act; we do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity or gender expression.
  3. Why are the guidelines changing?
    The updates are a result of a recent review, to align with the Alberta Human Rights Act. The new appropriate swim attire definition was written in partnership with the Lifesaving Society, in compliance with Alberta Health Services, and aligns with Alberta Human Rights Act. While the Act is not new, The City has gained a better understanding of the Act and adjusted to align with the Act.

    Additionally, The City is always striving to do better. The safety and wellbeing of all customers and citizens in our community is a priority. As an organization, we strive to ensure welcoming and inclusive spaces and places for all, prioritizing inclusive practices and equitable access across our organization and our community.

  4. Why does The City have to align guidelines with the Alberta Human Rights Act?

    A municipality cannot opt out of alignment with the Alberta Human Rights Act.

    If a municipality does not adhere to the Act, a complaint can be brought to the Alberta Human Rights Commission within one year of the alleged incident or discrimination. The Commission works with the parties to resolve the complaint.

  5. Where does the Aquatics Facilities Use Guidelines apply?
    The revised Aquatic Facilities Use Guidelines apply specifically to City of Red Deer operated aquatic facilities and the adjoining spaces such as change rooms and saunas. City operated aquatic facilities include:
    • G.H. Dawe Community Centre pools
    • Collicutt Centre pools
    • Michener Aquatics Centre pools
    • Recreation Centre indoor and outdoor pools
  6. Why do the Aquatics Facilities Use Guidelines only apply in aquatic spaces?
    Safety and hazard assessments are conducted for all areas within any City facility. Use guidelines are established based on these assessments to ensure the safety of all patrons accessing specific areas within a City facility. Use guidelines, and the required attire and/or equipment, for each area may vary from space to space, depending on its intended uses. Patrons accessing other City of Red Deer spaces within those facilities, such as open public spaces (hallways), field house, gymnasium or ice surface are required to wear a top and other attire and/or equipment such as clean running shoes, skates or helmet.

Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of all citizens in our public spaces and places, balanced with ensuring feelings of inclusivity, are a priority for The City of Red Deer.

  1. Are people still able to go swimming at City facilities fully clothed?
    Another area of focus in our Aquatic Facilities Use Guidelines is safety. Swimwear must be suitable for general participation and must not impair a person’s ability to swim. Swimwear can be made of different fabric if it does not put a person’s health at risk or interfere with the quality of the pool water. You can find the full definition of appropriate swim attire in our Aquatics Facilities Use Guidelines athttps://www.reddeer.ca/media/reddeerca/recreation-and-culture/facility-and-parks-rentals/Aquatics- Facilities-Use-Guidelines.pdf
  2. How will citizens be notified about the change in Aquatics Facilities Use Guidelines?
    Information about appropriate swim attire is shared with aquatics visitors in many ways, including but not limited to on-site communications and program and service information. We will continue to share information about appropriate swim attire through our website, formal guidelines and sport partner communications to ensure facility visitors understand what guidelines are in place.
  3. Will there be accommodations made for people who feel uncomfortable with the change in swim attire requirements?
    No, we will not be setting up specific times where swim tops will be required for users in our aquatics facilities. We recognize some people may be uncomfortable with this adjustment, but we will continue to allow any person to use our aquatics facilities without a swim top. Our guidelines ensure fairness to everyone and are in alignment with the Alberta Human Rights Act.
  4. Where can I get more information about swim attire in City aquatics facilities?
    The adjusted Aquatics Facilities Use Guidelines provide detailed information about appropriate swim attire, including material, swimwear style and additional requirements when entering our pools. You can find full swim attire definition on the last page of this document, or the full guidelines here: https://www.reddeer.ca/media/reddeerca/recreation-and-culture/facility-and-parks-rentals/Aquatics- Facilities-Use-Guidelines.pdf
  5. What if I don’t agree with the change?

    The City understands there are diverse opinions in the community about topics like this, related to swim attire or other diversity and inclusion initiatives and efforts. This change to swim attire guidelines in City operated facilities stems directly from a need to align with the Alberta Human Rights Act, which falls under provincial authority.

    If you do not agree with this change, you can visithttps://albertahumanrights.ab.ca/complaints/Pages/complaint_info.aspx to file an official complaint.

12. What is the definition of appropriate swim attire in the guidelines? Appropriate swim attire definition:

The City of Red Deer is committed to providing safe and welcoming recreation spaces. We want all people to feel comfortable in and around our aquatic amenities.

In partnership with the Lifesaving Society, and in compliance with Alberta Health Services, The City of Red Deer has developed the following definition for appropriate swim attire. This definition also ensures that City of Red Deer pool operations are aligned with the Alberta Human Rights Act, which does not allow for discrimination based on gender, gender identity or gender expression.

City staff have the responsibility to determine if swimwear poses a safety risk and will manage facility use accordingly.

  1. When visiting a public pool, swimwear must be suitable for general participation in aquatics and must not impair swimming skills. Swimwear may be made of different types of fabric as long as it does not put a user’s safety at risk or interfere with pool water quality.
  2. When patrons choose not to expose a part of their body, a modified version of traditional swimwear is permissible as an alternative. Acceptable alternatives for swimwear include:

    i. footless tights, gymnastic leggings, ii. tight-fitting undershirt,

    iii. tight-fitting hood that covers the head and neck with wide openings for the face, iv. tight-fitting sweater or pants, or a wetsuit,

    v. long-sleeved pants and shirts,
    vi. tee-shirts and shorts with undergarments or a swimsuit worn underneath,

    vii. burkinis and rash guards, where there is a wide opening for the face and fabric is tight-fitting enough to not interfere with swimming skills. Hands and feet must be able to move freely.

  3. For safety reasons, patrons wearing traditional garments (such as saris) are asked to remain in the shallow end of the pool. We ask that they not use the dive tank.
  4. All patrons are required to wear swimwear bottoms. The use of swimwear tops is a patron’s choice.
  5. Clothing that absorbs water and becomes heavy is not permissible in pools.
  6. All swimwear must be clean and brought to the facility for the purpose of swimming.
  7. Prior to entering the pool, all patrons are required to take a cleansing shower in their swimwear.
  8. Children under 3 years of age and anyone who is incontinent must wear a reusable/disposable swim diaper as well as a fitted plastic pant.

City of Red Deer

Over 25 Canadian cities support initiative designating December as Christian Heritage Month

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From LifeSiteNews

By Anthony Murdoch

Major cities that have signed on include Ajax, Durham, Sudbury, Mississauga, Ottawa, and Niagara Falls in Ontario, Alberta municipalities Red Deer and Okotoks, and Regina and Saskatoon in Saskatchewan. In British Columbia, Whistler and Prince George have also signed the petition.

More than 25 Canadian municipalities signed onto a proclamation declaring December as “Christian Heritage Month.”

The proclamation also asks provinces to take the initiative to declare the last month of the year in recognition of Christianity as an important part of Canadian heritage given the fact other faiths have special months of their own.

Major cities that have signed on include Ajax, Durham, Sudbury, Mississauga, Ottawa, and Niagara Falls in Ontario, Alberta municipalities Red Deer and Okotoks, and Regina and Saskatoon in Saskatchewan. In British Columbia, Whistler and Prince George have also signed the petition.

All of the cities have pledged to bring forth legislation that enshrines December as Christian Heritage Month into local law. Many have already done so.

The move by Canadian cities comes after the federal government and provincial governments have yet to proclaim December as Chrisitan Heritage Month.

According to the Christian Heritage Month Initiative, its mission is to have December “declared as Christian Heritage Month, recognizing the values of love, service, and compassion that define the Christian community.”

“The Christian Heritage Month Initiative is a dynamic, multi-denominational movement dedicated to celebrating the vibrant cultural, social, and artistic contributions of Canada’s Christian community,” the initiative says.

The initiative is under the leadership of Jay and Molly Banerjei, who are behind the Christian Music Festival. The organization says that the initiative “unites diverse voices and fosters a sense of belonging, enriching our nation’s identity and promoting inclusivity for all.”

Looking at Mississauga’s recent council motion that designates December as Christian Heritage Month, councillors have said its province under Premier Doug Ford should do the same.

It reads that Christianity is among the “diverse faiths followed by Mississauga residents and one of the most followed religions in Canada and Mississauga. Christians have made valuable contributions to the cultural, social, religious, and humanitarian fabric of our city and have played an important role in shaping our diverse community.”

The Mississauga motion also makes a point that December is “marked by significant events and celebrations in the Christian calendar, commencing with the observance of Advent and culminating in the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, which is also known as Christmas.”

“Christian organizations and places of worship in Mississauga offer religious services, unique events, and initiatives that highlight a strong Christian heritage during the month of December,” and it’s “also widely associated with the tradition of gift giving and the gathering of family, friends, and people of all faiths, during the Christmas season,” its councillors wrote.

“Recognizing the month of December, which is a significant month in the Christian calendar, as Christian Heritage Month provides an opportunity for all residents to celebrate the history, traditions, and teachings of the Christian faith, promoting understanding and appreciation of the diverse religious and cultural heritage of our city.”

Canada is historically a nation founded on Christian ideals and principles. European settlers who came to Canada from France and then later from what is the modern-day United Kingdom were Christian and included missionaries who tried to spread the faith to the local Indigenous populations.

Canada has observed Christmas since 1641, well before its official founding, according to some historical records.

As reported by LifeSiteNews, Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) MPs have urged all Canadians to support a petition that calls on the federal government to proclaim December as “Christian Heritage Month.”

Last year, CPC MP Marilyn Gladu introduced a Private Member’s Bill C-369 that would designate December as “Christian Heritage Month,” saying this is only the “fair and right” thing to do.

The bill reads that “In the negotiations that brought about Confederation, Canada was originally named ‘Dominion of Canada,’ a name reportedly inspired by the passage in the Bible (King James Version) at Psalm 72:8, which says, ‘He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.’”

The bill states that December in Canada marks “significant events and celebrations in the Christian calendar, from the beginning of Advent to the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ; And whereas, according to Statistics Canada’s 2021 Census of Population, Christianity is the largest religion in Canada, with over half of Canadians identifying as Christian.”

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City of Red Deer

Photo Radar to disappear in a flash – Red Deer City Council

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City Council reviews Automated Traffic Enforcement program

At Tuesday’s Council meeting, City Council received a report reviewing the current operation of The City’s Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) program.

Mobile photo speed enforcement, commonly known as photo radar, is one component of the ATE program that has been an important tool in capturing speed violations on city streets. On Tuesday, administration provided a report on the effectiveness of the current program, as well as identified opportunities to optimize resources and enhance public safety through conventional enforcement.

“The ATE program’s number one goal has always been to prevent accidents and increase motorist and pedestrian safety by identifying speeding violations,” said John Ferguson, Manager of Municipal Policing Services. “However, after conducting a thorough review, we have found the current photo speed enforcement program has limitations in achieving our public safety goals.”

Identified limitations of the Mobile Photo Speed Enforcement program included a range of issues, including the inability to capture all traffic and safety violations, a lack of positive change in speeding compliance over time, limited consequences to drivers, and inability to provide targeted enforcement that responds promptly to evolving community needs because of a reliance on external guidelines set by the Government of Alberta’s ATE program.

Conversely, the report found that Community Peace Officer-led enforcement could offer a number of advantages, including the ability to address a wide range of traffic and safety violations, engage directly with drivers, have the flexibility to adapt to emerging community safety needs, and have a greater impact on changing the immediate behaviour of drivers with the stopping and ticketing process.

“Most importantly, Community Peace Officers can identify and remove dangerous driving issues that go beyond speeding, such as stopping uninsured or suspended drivers, impaired or distracted driving, and seatbelt use,” said Manager Ferguson. “This report explores the value or striking a better balance between automated and conventional enforcement that fosters a stronger sense of safety, reassures residents and deters potential offenders.”

Municipal Policing will return in the fall to propose a comprehensive approach for traffic safety enforcement that replaces the use of mobile photo speed enforcement with Community Peace Officers.

For more information about the current ATE program, visit www.reddeer.ca/ATE.

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