‘Potentially save a life’: St. Thomas council supports Buoys and PFD’s at Lake Margaret

St. Thomas City Council is backing the creation of a mandatory Personal Floatation Device (PFD) Bylaw and/or the installation of ring buoys around Lake Margaret. (Source: Brent Lale/CTV London)

Nine months after a tragic death in St. Thomas’ Lake Margaret, city council is backing the creation of a mandatory Personal Floatation Device (PFD) Bylaw and the installation of ring buoys around the lake.

City council voted 5-3 in favour of creating of the bylaw, despite city staff recommending they not proceed due to potential legal reasons.

The Ryan Davies project was created by Linda Davies after her son drowned on Labour Day last summer when his canoe tipped over during an early morning fishing trip. He was not wearing a PFD.

“One of the main priorities right now is to get a life jacket loaner program at Main Beach in Port Stanley and also at Lake Margaret,” King Told CTV News in January.

Three weeks later at the Feb. 10, 2025 council meeting, a letter under Petitions and Communications was received concerning the Ryan Davies Project - Lake Margaret Area Water Safety.

In his report to council Monday May 12, 2025, Jeff Bray, director of Parks, Recreation and Facilities said “the intent of Ryan Davies Project is very admirable” but cautioned against the effectiveness of ring buoys due to limited throwing distance, and stated “to date staff have not received data that confirms the addition of ring buoys along Lake Margaret will improve water safety and positively impact the safety of boaters and other recreationalists”.

When it comes to PFD’s he says legal counsel has advised enforcement is the key issue. Bray says the city would have to consider factors like budgetary implications, staffing levels, qualified expertise, equipment, and training for such equipment”.

Despite recommendations against the project from Bray, councillor Steve Peters immediately threw his support behind the project.

“I want to speak in support of this notwithstanding, the way the report is written,” says Peters.

“I have been to countless hotels, resorts, beaches. and I just think that anything that we can do to help potentially save a life is something that we should do. And notwithstanding the concerns that have been expressed, I do support, the installation of a series of buoys around Lake Margaret”.

Later in the meeting, Bray returned to the podium to say legal counsel has advised the public expects buoys to always be available.

“There’s also from what I’ve got from our insurance provider and legal counsel, there’s limited abilities, given the size of the lake, that the ring buoys would actually be effective,” says Bray, referring to the limited distance a buoy can be thrown.

“The size of the lake and staggering them so they’re always available, that was a concern of legal counsel as well. There’s just constant maintenance to make sure they are available in their in a working condition.”