MPP Lorne Coe Helping Ontario Seniors Stay Fit, Healthy and Active
MPP Lorne Coe Helping Ontario Seniors Stay Fit, Healthy and Active
Increasing our investments in Seniors Active Living Centres bringing resources and activities closer to home in Whitby
NEWS June 21, 2024
WHITBY — Today, Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier announced that the Ontario government is helping more seniors stay fit, healthy and active in their community by investing up to $15 million to support all current Seniors Active Living Centres (SALC) programs across the province that connect seniors with resources and activities.
“Our Senior Active Living Centres are an important part of the community,” said Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier. “They bring seniors and the whole community together with services, activities and programs that make sure our seniors stay connected all year long.”
The up to $15 million 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 Senior Active Living Centres in Whitby that will receive funding are:
- Brooklin 55+ Recreation Centre – $51,137
- Whitby 55+ Recreation Centre – $51,137
In total the Town of Whitby will receive $102,274 from the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility in 2024 to provide programs that will reduce social isolation and improve the overall quality of life among older people in Whitby. Since 2018, the Town of Whitby has received $738,361.25 from the Government of Ontario as part of the Seniors Active Living Centre Program. This funding has enabled the Whitby and Brooklin 55+ Recreation Centres to provide a range of resources and activities from health and safety to general wellbeing, to social interaction, along with physical activities including exercise, fitness and conditioning, to the seniors in our communities.
“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.”
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.
QUICK FACTS
- Seniors Active Living Centre programs across Ontario.
- search tool to find a program near them.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Guide to Programs and Services for Seniors