The weather outside may be frigid, but your activity level doesn't have to freeze. But before you head to the water for some frosty fun, make sure that you know how to stay safe by reading our top 7 ice tips.

Will you ring in the brand new year with a plunge into wintry waters? Whether you relish January 1’s icy swim events or whether you simply lost a bet at a New Year’s Eve party here are a few tips to keep you safe during this invigorating annual tradition.

Due to the uncertainty surrounding access to West Island, Swim Drink Fish will pause our water quality monitoring program at the West Island Beach for the foreseeable future. We’ve been grateful for the ability to support the many amazing folks who access our water quality results to make an informed decision about when they can access the waters at Ontario Place.

A Joint Announcement from Lauren Brown Hornor and Matt Brown

Biinaagami — a term bestowed upon this initiative by Anishinaabek grandmothers Barbara Nolan and Donna Debassige of Mnidoo Mnising (“Island of the Great Spirit” or Manitoulin Island) — translates to “clean, pure waters” in Anishinaabemowin. It stands as a testament to our undertaking, not just in name but in spirit.

Working in communications in the environmental sector, you used to have to really pull on the climate change thread to explain to the public that things were bad, getting worse and about to be catastrophic. But now, we need only a gentle tug at that thread to see that climate change is the devil holding together our new hellscape.