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Do you manage a public or private beach, conservation authority, provincial or national park? What about a marina? If you do, you can apply to be part of the Blue Flag program. It's easy!

The responsible authority for a particular beach and/or marina can apply. For beaches, the responsible authority includes:

  • Municipalities
  • Conservation Authorities
  • Provincial and National Parks
  • Private Owners

PROCEDURE

  1. Complete the Blue Flag Feasibility Study Application form electronically. There are separate applications for beaches and marinas. Both cover the imperative and guideline criteria in question and answer format. Download the application

  2. Within four weeks, staff from Environmental Defence arrange a visit to the beach or marina. All visits are completed between the 1st of September and the end of October, or between the 1st of April and the end of May. Studies can be conducted outside those months depending on the time and circumstances. Following the visit, Environmental Defence prepares a report recommending steps required to meet the imperative criteria.

  3. If the feasibility study and visit are favourable, the beach or marina progresses to the Blue Flag Pilot Phase. The Pilot Phase is usually applied for one summer during which Environmental Defence monitors the beach/marina according to the Blue Flag imperative criteria. If a beach/marina fails to meet all of the imperative criteria during the Pilot Phase, the beach/marina can remain in the Pilot Phase up to a maximum of three years. At the end of three years, if a beach/marina still fails to meet all of the imperative criteria, then its continuation in the Pilot Phase is re-evaluated.

    If a beach/marina meets all of the imperative criteria during a full season in the Pilot Phase, an application for Blue Flag certification is made in the fall prior to the next summer season.

  4. The application is first reviewed by a regional Canadian Jury - comprised of independent stakeholders and experts - in February. Environmental Defence facilitates the application to the jury but does not participate in the review. The jury provides regional Canadian approval and forwards the application to an International Jury in Europe for final approval.

  5. The International Jury assesses applications in April. Blue Flag awards are announced immediately and posted on the Blue Flag National and International web sites.

  6. Once approved by the International Jury, the Blue Flag can be flown at the beach/marina. Blue Flags in Canada are awarded the first week of June each year.

AWARD FOR ONE SEASON
The Blue Flag award is valid for one season only. Renewing the award annually ensures that the beach maintains Blue Flag standards.

COMMITMENT TO BLUE FLAG STANDARDS

By flying the Blue Flag, you agree to ensure that your beach/marina is in compliance with the Blue Flag imperative criteria throughout the season. You agree to contact Environmental Defence should your beach/marina fall out of compliance and to remove the Blue Flag until the problem is resolved. The responsible authority must ensure compliance with the imperative criteria whenever flying the Blue Flag.