Students at West Island school learn sun safety under new shade structure

One school on the West Island is trying to help encourage sun safety as kids enjoy the warmer weather.

Students at St. Anthony Elementary School in Montreal’s Pierrefonds-Roxboro borough are going to be able to spend their summer recesses under a new shade structure.

They say the shade is useful as many of them do not wear sunscreen.

“Sunscreen is not my favourite thing,” said student Willow Duncan.

“I’m normally the person that would forget to put on sunscreen,” said another student, Marilena Stefanis.

The Canadian Dermatology Association (CDA) provided the structure, a large blue sun sail, as a way to promote sun safety.

“Encouraging those sun-safe habits from an early age is really important for cancer prevention and healthy skin,” said dermatologist Robin Wiviott.

The school was one of six sun sail recipients for 2025 said Wiviott.

According to a recent study by McGill University, Canadians are spending more time in the sun but using less sun protection.

Most of the respondents said they either use sunscreen irregularly or not at all.

“We know that sunburns in childhood are a particularly important risk factor for melanoma,” said Wiviott.

So far, the shade structure is a success among students.

“I’ll be using it often because I get hot really easily,” said student Amelia Mertilus.

The Lester B. Pearson School Board is expecting to implement more of these structures at its schools.

“It’s so hot but if you come in here, there’s a nice breeze flowing because of the shade,” said Duncan.