TORONTO— The Ontario government is investing more than $1.6 million in seniors services and activities to help more seniors in Northeastern Ontario stay fit, active, healthy, and social connected in their communities and closer to home.
“Seniors helped build the Ontario we’re proud to live in today,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “When we invest in our seniors, we are building a better province for all. These investments help seniors live happy, healthy, and independent lives.”
Over $1.1 million is being invested in 28 Seniors Active Living Centres (SALCs) across Northeastern Ontario as part of the more than $15 million in funding for programs provincewide this year. This investment is an increase of close to 10 per cent from last year, resulting in a majority of SALC programs getting a funding increase from $42,700 to up to $50,000 to deliver a variety of programs such as book clubs, fitness classes, health and wellness services, social groups, and other special events.
“The diverse projects funded though this year’s Seniors Active Living Centre Programs and the Seniors Community Grant show the vibrancy of the communities of Sault Ste. Marie and those across Algoma,” said Ross Romano, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie. “Thank you to our dedicated community partners who have developed programing that will help to remove barriers and foster participation in a wide variety of activities, promoting opportunities for seniors to connect, engage and share experiences within their community.”
“Seniors spent their lives looking after us, and now it is time to look after them,” said George Pirie, MPP for Timmins. “That’s why our government is investing over $85,000 through Seniors Active Living Centres and Seniors Community Grants (SCGs). Our investment will help connect seniors in Timmins and across Northern Ontario to programs that create fulfilling experiences and, most importantly, improve the quality of life.”
Over $500,000 is also being invested through Seniors Community Grants to support 24 programs across Northeastern Ontario that are connecting seniors and older adults to social, cultural, learning, and recreational opportunities for seniors to stay fit, healthy and connected in their communities. This is part of the government’s recent investment of up to $6 million to support 282 community projects across Ontario.
“Both the Seniors Community Grants and the newly expanded Seniors Active Living Centre Programs provide older adults in Northeastern Ontario with programs that ensure they can enjoy their golden years, while staying active and socially connected,” said Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli. “Our government recognizes that funding these programs helps build healthier communities while delivering opportunities even in remote areas.”
The government continues to take steps to improve resources for seniors. On June 1, 2024, changes to the Seniors Active Living Centres Act, 2017 came into effect that enable more types of organizations to deliver SALC programs. A call for proposals for organizations to deliver SALC programming opened on July 16, which will add to the more than 300 Seniors Active Living Centre programs being delivered across the province.