Tashi Farmilo
LJI Reporter

Residential pool owners in Aylmer have until September 30 to bring their installations into
compliance with Quebec’s updated safety regulations or face fines that could reach several
thousand dollars. The rule, which has existed since 2010, is now entering its final enforcement
phase. For the first time, older pools – those built before November 1, 2010 – must meet the
same safety standards as newer installations.

The regulation, designed to prevent accidental drownings, requires that all residential pools be
enclosed by a dedicated barrier that meets specific technical criteria, even if the entire yard is
already fenced. This detail has come as a surprise to many homeowners who believed their
existing safety measures were sufficient.

One Aylmer resident, who asked not to be named, contacted the Aylmer Bulletin after learning
that her inground pool—already enclosed by a six-foot fence with locked, self-latching gates and
a decorative barrier around the pool itself—may still not meet the province’s requirements. “I
don’t understand why I’d need a fence within a fence,” she said.

She questioned whether the full burden of compliance should rest on homeowners, especially in
cases where visitors bring children onto the property. “The responsibility should fall on the
parents to ensure their children are supervised, not solely on the household to build another
fence,” she said.

She also expressed concern over the impact on people living on fixed incomes. “How is a
retired senior supposed to absorb this cost or find a way to afford it?” she asked. She noted that
removing her existing decorative fence to replace it could cause damage to the concrete
surrounding the pool. “It’s just not a simple or inexpensive fix.”

While she believes safety is important, she questioned why there was no consultation process
with homeowners before applying the same standard to all pools, regardless of their setup. With
the regulation already enacted and the deadline only months away, it’s unclear whether public
input at this stage would carry legal weight.

Under the regulation, all pool enclosures must be at least 1.2 metres high, prevent the passage
of a 10-centimetre object, and be free of features that could aid in climbing. Gates must close
and latch automatically. Hedges, shrubs, and decorative landscaping do not qualify as barriers.
There are a few exceptions. Above-ground pools with rigid walls at least 1.2 metres high, or
temporary pools standing 1.4 metres or more, may be exempt if access is restricted with a
lockable ladder or platform gate. Pools connected to a terrace may also comply if entry points
are properly secured with regulation gates.​

The City of Gatineau, which is responsible for enforcing the regulation locally, will begin
conducting inspections this summer. Properties that received pool permits in recent years will be
prioritized. However, the City has no role in setting the law and cannot offer financial assistance
or exemptions. Questions about costs, appeals, or broader policy issues must be addressed to
the Government of Quebec.

No provincial financial support has been announced to help offset the cost of compliance.
Homeowners who have already invested in perimeter fencing and safety features are now being
asked to make further modifications to meet a uniform standard.

While the regulation is intended to prevent tragic accidents—particularly those involving young
children—some residents feel its one-size-fits-all approach does not reflect the diversity of
household circumstances. For now, however, the deadline stands. After October 1, non-
compliant pool owners could face fines and increased liability, regardless of how secure their
pool already seems.

Photo: An inground pool in Aylmer, already enclosed by a six-foot fence and additional safety
measures, still falls short of Quebec’s updated regulations—highlighting how even well-secured
pools must meet new provincial standards by September 30. (TF) Submitted