Rae Announces Funding for Local Seniors Programs
[Stratford, ON]— Today, Matthew Rae, MPP for Perth-Wellington, announced $179,016 in funding for local seniors’ programs.
“Our seniors help build our communities and province,” said MPP Rae. “Our government continues to support these important senior programs, ensuring our seniors can enjoy their golden years, while staying active and healthy.”
“Senior Active Living Centres help build healthier, safer communities by providing a community hub for older adults,’’ said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “Our government’s expansion and investment in Seniors Active Living Centre programs will help even more older adults, including those in remote areas, get the supports they need to live healthy, independent lives.”
The Seniors Active Living Centres (SALC) program and Seniors Community Grant (SCG) program are funded by the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility and provides programming to help seniors stay fit, active, and connected in our communities. SALCs and SCG’s are community connectors. Together these investments support local, not-for-profit community organizations, municipalities, and Indigenous groups by helping them deliver programs and learning opportunities for Ontarians age 55+ offering a wide variety of activities to promote engagement, reduce isolation and promote healthy living.
“We are grateful for the continued support of the Provincial government through the Seniors Active Living Centres Grant,” says St. Marys Mayor Al Strathdee. “These funds support the operation of our Friendship Centre, which is a vibrant, welcoming space for adults of all ages and abilities. This facility provides diverse programming that helps to reduce isolation and create community among our residents.”
“June is Seniors Month in the Province of Ontario,” said MPP Rae. “It is a time for us to recognize and thank the many seniors in Perth-Wellington for the many contributions they have made and continue to make in our communities.”
This year, a total of up to $15 million in funding will be made available to SALC programs across the province. This is an increase of close to 10 per cent from last year.
Due to the overwhelming success of Ontario’s more than 300 Seniors Active Living Centres being delivered by municipalities, new changes to the Seniors Active Living Centres Act, 2017 came into effect as of June 1, 2024 that enable more types of organizations to deliver Seniors Active Living Centre programs.
A call for proposals for organizations to deliver SALC programming will open later this summer. In addition to municipalities, other local and community-based organizations such as Legions, Lion’s Clubs, and other social and recreational clubs are now welcome to apply.
Organizations that deliver SALC programming contribute 20 per cent of the cost of delivering the program, with the province providing the remaining 80 per cent.
This announcement comes as Ontario marks Seniors Month, a time to celebrate the accomplishments of older people in the province.
Grant allocations are as follows:
| SALC Recipient | Funding Amount |
| Stratford Kiwanis Community Centre | $51,023 |
| North Perth Seniors Centre | $26,781 |
| The Town of St. Marys | $50,075 |
| Spruce Lodge Home for the Aged | $51,137 |
| Total | $179,016 |