Mike Williams and Evelyn Paige faced a heartbreak they never imagined would happen to them: their grandchildren’s drowning in the Wabigoon River in Dryden, Ont., last year.
The St. Catharines couple told CBC Niagara they believe that the deaths of Kayden Grant, 15, and Joyclyn Grant, 12, could have been avoided if they had learned lifesaving swimming skills.
Williams shared that the siblings’ parents made several attempts to enroll them in swimming lessons while living in Hamilton, but “one minute later, registration would close because all the spots were gone.”
The children eventually got signed up for lessons, but tragically drowned before their classes were set to begin two weeks later, Paige said.
The grandparents of Joyclyn and Kayden, left to right in this composite image, are working to get lifesaving swimming lessons mandated in Ontario schools. (Submitted by Elva Reid)
Since their passing, Williams has been advocating for mandatory survival swimming lessons in schools across Hamilton, Dryden, and the Niagara region.
To support his cause, Williams also started an online petition that has received over 22,000 signatures within just two months.
“The pain and loss remain indescribable, and we are determined to prevent other families from enduring this heartbreaking agony,” the petition reads.
Williams wants these essential life skills included in grade-school curriculums so that as many kids as possible can benefit at no expense to families.
He mentioned that the three-part swimming modules created by the Lifesaving Society could help achieve this goal.
“It’s just two hours in a school year,” he said about what the charitable organization offers.
What some municipalities are doing
In an email to CBC Niagara, the City of Hamilton stated it’s looking into making water safety education more available through partnerships aimed at providing “low-cost and accessible swim programming,” including the Lifesaving Society’s Swim to Survive program.
The city also mentioned it brought forward a motion on Dec. 3, 2025, mandating swimming safety training in Ontario’s elementary school curriculum. They said that the ministry has acknowledged receiving this motion.
The City of Dryden’s Public Works department reported that life rings were placed last year at docks along the Wabigoon River where both Grant siblings-and shortly after them a five-year-old boy and a 28-year-old man-drowned.
“This is a way to turn a terrible tragedy.. into something that could potentially save other young kids from this fate,” Williams said about efforts aimed at preventing drownings.
CBC Niagara reached out to the Education Ministry regarding its awareness of the petition and other questions related to drowning prevention efforts in schools but did not receive a response by publication time.
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