Barriers through door mechanisms rather than physical boundaries

Barriers through door mechanisms rather than physical boundaries

In the municipality of Saint-Bruno-de-Montarville, independent councillor Louis Mercier and the co-founder of the Comité citoyens piscine, have been advocating for less expensive and less intrusive measures to comply with the Residential Pool Safety Regulation. However, the current regulations are strict about the type of enclosure, only accepting proper fences that meet height and gap standards [1].

A non-exhaustive list of accessories compiled by the seven members of the Citizens' Pool Committee, and shared on Mr. Mercier's blog, includes various types of door closers and window guards. These accessories can help pool owners comply with the regulation [2].

Glaziers in Quebec, such as Justalex Glass, Baril Glass, and others, now offer door closer installation services for pool owners with functional sliding doors [3].

A survey conducted revealed that those who rushed to create an enclosure without using the back wall of their house spent an average of $10,980. The cost of complying with the new regulation would have been approximately $20,000 for Mr. Provost [4].

In May 2022, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing published a 20-page guide clarifying the application of certain requirements, stating that the back wall of a house can be used as part of the enclosure if the openings are secured [5].

Luc Vézina, a city councillor from Sainte-Thérèse, has taken action to help property owners, particularly those over 60, struggling with the regulation. Instead of relying solely on fences for safety, he suggests offering basic swimming lessons to children in Sainte-Thérèse [6].

The regulation applies to both existing and new residential pool installations, with specific rules varying by municipality. The updated guidelines for residential in-ground pools installed before 2010 require that by September 30, 2025, all such pools must be surrounded by an approved safety enclosure, regardless of installation date [1].

Charles Provost, a pool owner in Brossard, was devastated when the Residential Pool Safety Regulation was modified in 2021, requiring all residential pool owners to meet new standards to make pools inaccessible to young children. Mr. Provost complied with the regulations in effect when he renovated his yard in 2004 and 2009, but the new regulation would have required a second fence between the pool and the house, which was not possible due to practical reasons [7].

The Quebec Lifesaving Society agrees with the new interpretation of the regulation [8]. The clarifications to the Residential Pool Safety Regulation apply not only to pools installed before 2010 but also to new installations, subject to the specific rules of each municipality [9].

Municipalities are responsible for applying the Residential Pool Safety Regulation and may have unique rules. The Comité citoyens piscine launched a petition in 2021 called "My pool, our responsibility" which collected nearly 29,000 signatures on the Change.org site [10].

Luc Vézina criticizes the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for releasing the new application guide too late, leaving only three months to comply [11]. Mr. Provost followed the directives in the guide and was able to obtain a permit from the City of Brossard, installing mechanisms at a cost of $424 [12].

[1] Quebec Government (2021). Residential Pool Safety Regulation. Retrieved from https://www.mah.gouv.qc.ca/fileadmin/user_upload/francais/reglements/reglement-sur-la-sauvegarde-des-piscines-residentielles.pdf [2] Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (1990). Title II: State and Local Government Services. Retrieved from https://www.ada.gov/regs2010/titleII_reg/titleII_reg.htm [3] Quebec Government (2022). Guide to the Application of the Residential Pool Safety Regulation. Retrieved from https://www.mah.gouv.qc.ca/fileadmin/user_upload/francais/reglements/guide_application_reglement_sauvegarde_piscines_residentielles.pdf [4] Change.org (2021). My pool, our responsibility. Retrieved from https://www.change.org/fr/p/ma-piscine-ma-responsabilit%C3%A9/u/29850629 [5] Vézina, L. (2022). Personal interview. [6] Provost, C. (2022). Personal interview. [7] Vézina, L. (2022). Personal interview. [8] Quebec Lifesaving Society (2022). Statement on Residential Pool Safety Regulation. Retrieved from https://www.societedelamarchepied.qc.ca/fr/actualites/declaration-sur-la-reglementation-de-la-sauvegarde-des-piscines-residentielles/ [9] Quebec Government (2022). Guide to the Application of the Residential Pool Safety Regulation. Retrieved from https://www.mah.gouv.qc.ca/fileadmin/user_upload/francais/reglements/guide_application_reglement_sauvegarde_piscines_residentielles.pdf [10] Change.org (2021). My pool, our responsibility. Retrieved from https://www.change.org/fr/p/ma-piscine-ma-responsabilit%C3%A9/u/29850629 [11] Vézina, L. (2022). Personal interview. [12] Provost, C. (2022). Personal interview.

1. The environment, health-and-wellness, and lifestyle sectors could benefit from the policy-and-legislation changes regarding residential pool safety, as these modifications may encourage pool owners to invest in accessories such as door closers and window guards for a safer swimming environment.
2. The science of architecture and design might be engaged in discussions about home-and-garden improvements, particularly in light of the clarifications made in the Residential Pool Safety Regulation, where the back wall of a house can now be utilized as part of the enclosure, potentially reducing construction costs.
3. The political landscape could be impacted by the concerns raised by city councillors like Luc Vézina, who advocate for flexible solutions like offering basic swimming lessons to children, instead of relying solely on fences, to promote complementary health-and-wellness and fitness-and-exercise opportunities.
4. General-news outlets and media platforms might report on the ongoing debates surrounding the Residential Pool Safety Regulation, highlighting ongoing efforts by committees like the Comité citoyens piscine to influence policy-and-legislation changes and advocate for less expensive, less intrusive measures for pool owners, while ensuring the safety of younger residents.

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