Tuesday, February 18, 2025
HomeCANADAY Media Exclusive: Minister Raymond Cho announces the Largest Single Year Expansion...

Y Media Exclusive: Minister Raymond Cho announces the Largest Single Year Expansion for Senior Active Living Centres in Ontario’s History

$17 million increase over 3 years plus 100 new Seniors Active Living Centres next year

SCARBOROUGH, 6 December— Minister Raymond Cho announced that the Ontario government announced the largest single year expansion for Seniors Active Living Centres in its history. Ontario is increasing funding by $17 million dollars to expand services and activities and up to 100 new Seniors Active Living Centre (SALC) programs over the next year.

Joined by his Scarborough colleagues MPP Vijay Thanigasalam, MPP Aris Babikian, MPP David Smith and MPP Patrice Barnes, Minister Cho made the announcement at the Malvern Family Resource Centre in Scarborough today. 

“This is the largest single year investment in Seniors Active Living Centres, by any government in Ontario’s history,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility and MPP for Scarborough North. “This shows Premier Ford and our entire government’s commitment to our seniors so they can stay fit, active, healthy, socially connected, stay in their own homes and in their communities.”

In its 2024 Fall Economic Statement, the government announced an investment of up to $17 million over three years expands access to services for seniors in underserved communities, as well as those with disabilities.

“This historic investment in our seniors will increase the amount of services and activities all across Ontario,” said Minister Raymond Cho.“Premier Ford and our government are committed to making sure our seniors stay engaged in our communities and stay active and healthy each and every day.”

This increases the number of SALCs across Ontario from 316 up to 416.

They could now include municipalities, non-profit corporations, registered charities, Indigenous groups, Legions, Lions Clubs and recreational clubs.

The new programs will initially be drawn through the 2024-25 SALC call for proposals issued on July 16, with a possibility for additional programs being added in future calls. More on this to come in the new year.

QUOTE

“At Malvern Family Resource Centre (MFRC), we are committed to supporting the well-being of seniors in the communities we serve. The announcement of new funding for Seniors Active Living Centres underscores the vital role these programs play in promoting healthy and dignified aging, ensuring that seniors continue to feel valued and empowered. We are grateful to the Ontario government’s continued support of seniors’ programs. This funding will enable organizations like ours to further strengthen the services and opportunities available to the seniors we serve.”

Josh Berman, Executive Director, Malvern Family Resource Centre

QUICK FACTS

  • Elderly Persons Centers were created in 1966. 
  • On June 1, 2024, changes to the Seniors Active Living Centres Act, 2017 came into effect letting more types of organizations provide the 20% contribution requirements towards SALC programs’ operating costs. A call for proposals for organizations to deliver SALC programming opened on July 16, 2024.  
  • Funding for the expansion was approved in the Fall Economic Statement.
  • SALC programs will be able to request up to up to $55,000 for maintenance and operating costs, an increase from the previous maximum of $50,000 in 2024 and up from $42, 700 in base funding from 2023.
RELATED ARTICLES
- Advertisment -
Google search engine

Most Popular

Recent Comments