As Ontario marks Seniors Month, the government of Ontario has announced that it is investing $180,000 to four Senior Active Living Centres in Nipissing.
The funding will include:
$51,093 for the Mattawa Senior Citizens Club
$51,137 for Club Action 50+ East Ferris
$51,137 for the Club 135 Seniors in Action (formerly known as the North Bay Golden Age Club)
$26,400 for the Callander Elderly Persons’ Centre/RLC Legion Branch 445
Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing was joined by Raymond Cho, Minister of Seniors and Accessibility to make the announcement at the Callander Legion Branch 445.
“We’d like to thank MPP Fedeli, Minster Cho and the Ontario government for the Senior Active Living Centre funding which allows the Callander Legion to support seniors in our community with events and a plethora of activities that are held in our Seniors Room,” said Richard Rhindress, President, RCL Branch 445/Callander Elderly Persons Centre.
The number of seniors aged 65 and over is projected to increase significantly, from 2.8 million or 18.4 per cent of population in 2022, to 4.4 million, or 20.3 per cent by 2046. While more seniors live in large urban centres, smaller or rural regions tend to have a higher proportion of seniors in their communities.
“Our Senior Active Living Centres are an important part of the community,” said MPP Fedeli. “They bring seniors and the whole community together with services, activities and programs that make sure our seniors stay connected all year long.”
“Senior Active Living Centres help build healthier, safer communities by providing a community hub for older adults,’’ said MPP Cho. “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.”
In addition to helping seniors remain physically active, the programs promote good mental health by encouraging them to engage with the community.
“These funds assist our Club in its day-to-day operations and programming that encourage our seniors to stay active and socially engaged with their friends and the senior’s population in East Ferris,” said Pauline Rochefort, Mayor of East Ferris.. “The variety of programming organized by our Club is exceptional and these programs are vital in keeping our seniors independent and healthy and assist them as they age in their community.”
“Today’s SALC funding will allow the North Bay Golden Age Club to continue providing services and programing to our local seniors to promote active and healthy lifestyles. Our events calendar is fully stocked with activities such as shuffleboard, fitness classes and our popular Saturday nights dances,” said Maureen Bruce Payne, of the Club 135 Seniors in Action.
A news release states that the government of Ontario has increased base funding by up to $15 million resulting in a majority of SALC programs receiving increased funding to deliver a variety of programs such as book clubs, fitness classes, health and wellness services, social groups, and other special events.
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.
There are now 316 Seniors Active Living Centre programs across Ontario. Use the online search tool to find a program near you.
