The mayor of Dryden is leading the charge to bring Swim to Survive programs into all elementary schools.

Jack Harrison has drafted a notice of motion calling on the Minister of Education to putting swimming into the curriculum.

“To really start the ball rolling of trying to incorporate water safety training in the curriculum…if you think of all the things we learn in school, especially in the Phys-Ed department, swimming is a life skill,” Harrison told Dryden City Council while introducing the Notice of Motion.

“This resolution, I would like our council to support, would try to bring awareness, and try to move the needle on having our school system, through the power of our Minister of Education to enact this.”

The Motion follows the drowning of a 15-year-old boy and his 12-year-old sister in the Wabigoon River this past July.

The family of the children have been calling for swimming lessons for all kids in elementary school to prevent a similar tragedy from happening.