76% of Toronto winter recreation program spaces filled

City does not expect same scale of course cancellations as in the fall

Toronto.ca
Jan. 6, 2023
Alice Chen

Those interested in Toronto’s winter and March break recreation programs can still register, with 24 per cent of program spaces yet to be filled and hedged expectations from the city to see a sharp reduction in program cancellations as compared to 2022’s fall set.

Registration for this season’s programs began Dec. 6 for courses across arts, fitness, sports, swimming and more, with programming starting Jan. 9. Also included in winter recreation programs are March break camps.

In the fall of last year, five per cent of Toronto’s seasonal recreation programs (about 500 courses) were cancelled due to a lack of instructors. Affected programs then included swimming, skating, arts, fitness and sports.

In summer 2022, similar problems arose around swimming courses, when a lack of staff led to over a hundred cancelled programs.

In the wake of those summer shortages, Toronto bumped up wages for swim instructors, Toronto.com reported, with the city then citing lifeguard certification delays across North America caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

In both situations, thousands of registrants were left stranded, though the city did offer alternative programs with available spaces, where possible.

This time around, a City of Toronto spokesperson said in an email, that staff have been “proactively” working to ensure that programs are fully staffed.

However, the city is actively recruiting and hiring for various positions, including rink guards, special needs program staff, community youth leaders and various arts and sports instructors, the email stated. It further included a plug to Toronto’s recreation job portal.

Asked if the city expected cancellations this time around, the spokesperson said it “does not foresee the scale of cancellations that occurred in the fall.”

“The city plans to offer programs based on the availability of staff to instruct and supervise.”

As of Dec. 28, 76 per cent of winter program spaces were filled. The spokesperson noted that programs that usually fill include swimming, skating and camps.

Registration for these programs, including March break camps, is ongoing and those interested can register at efun.toronto.ca or via phone at 416-396-7378.