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As part of his campaign, Toronto mayor hopeful George Smitherman has promised every child in the city will have the chance to learn to swim.

Toronto mayoral candidate George Smitherman has vowed to give every child in Toronto the chance to learn to swim.

During a campaign platform announcement at the Donald D. Summerville outdoor pool in June, Smitherman said, if elected mayor, he would develop a plan with swimming organizations to launch a swimming passport (SwimPass) to ensure every child in the city would receive basic swimming lessons by Grade 5.

Under the plan, trained lifeguards and swim instructors would be made available to provide swimming lessons in public and private facilities, while the city would fully participate with the Aquatics Working Group (AWG) to integrate aquatic programs and pools, and expand access to swimming for all ages.

Financing for the program has yet to be unveiled; however, campaign spokesperson Stefan Baranski told the Toronto Sun that Smitherman doesn't expect the city to cover the entire cost of the programs.

"The city, school board, non-profit swim clubs and parents currently fund swimming programs with considerable overlap, duplication and overhead costs," Baranski said.

This announcement comes after city council approved fee increases for services such as swimming lessons as part of its 2010 operating budget (PSM Online, March 11).