Ontario Creating 40 More Seniors Centres Across Province

RICHMOND HILL – York Region MPPs Michael Chan, Steven Del Duca, Dr. Helena Jaczek,Reza Moridi and Chris Ballard are pleased to announce that Ontario is now accepting applications from organizations interested in opening new Seniors Active Living Centres, to develop up to 40 new centres across the province over the next three years.

These new centres will help meet the needs of Ontario’s growing seniors’ population by offering programming that supports seniors to remain independent, healthy and active, safe and sociallyconnected.Programming could include a range of activities such as exercise classes,transportation services and communal dining experiences.

The province currently supports a network of 263 centres across Ontario that welcome more than 100,000 people each year.

Supporting seniors in living healthy and active lives is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy, and help people in their everyday lives.

QUOTES
“We are expanding the network of seniors centres across the province to help keep seniors active, healthy and engaged. We are encouraged by the level of interest already, and look forward to receiving proposals that look to support our diverse communities.” — Dipika Damerla, Minister of Seniors Affairs

“Seniors centres in our community play a vital role in helping our seniors remain independent, healthy and active, safe and socially-connected. The opportunity to provide more programming in Richmond Hill can help to meet the growing needs of seniors and help support some of our most vulnerable citizens.”–– Reza Moridi, M.P.P., Richmond Hill

“Our government is expanding supports to seniors, by committing to develop 40 new Seniors Active Living Centres in the next three years. We want to ensure that our seniors are able to live a safe, healthy and active lifestyle, while continuing to remain engaged in the community.”–– Steven Del Duca, M.P.P., Vaughan

“Seniors centres, like the Markham Seniors Activity Centre, play a vital role in helping our aging population remain independent, healthy and active, safe and socially-connected. The opportunity to provide more programming, through Seniors Active Living Centres, will help to meet the growing needs of seniors and help support some of our most vulnerable citizens in York Region.”— Dr. Helena Jaczek, M.P.P., Oak Ridges-Markham

“It is great news that the Ontario Government is investing in our seniors in Newmarket-Aurora and across the province. With more than two million seniors in Ontario, it is crucial that the province continues to support seniors’ well-being. Allowing our seniors to remain healthy, active and independent is of the utmost importance. Investing $8 million over three years to develop 40 new Seniors Active Living Centres shows that Ontario is continuing to help people in their everyday lives.”
–– Chris Ballard, M.P.P., Newmarket-Aurora

“Seniors are a valued part of every community, generously contributing the wisdom and knowledge they have gained from life experiences to strengthen and sustain our province. I am proud of our government’s efforts to enrich their lives and invest in endeavours to ensure that Ontario continues to be one of the best places in the world to grow older.”— Michael Chan, M.P.P., Markham-Unionville

QUICK FACTS
·Ontario is investing $8 million over three years to develop up to 40 new Seniors Active Living Centres.
·Applications for the first round of new centres will be accepted until December 21, 2017.
·Older adults are the fastest growing segment of Ontario’s population. As of 2015, there are more people in Ontario over the age of 65 than children under 15.
·Ontario provides $11.5 million in annual funding to support the existing network of 263 centres that serve more than 100,000 people every year.
·Modernized legislation for these centres came into effect on October 1, 2017, giving them more flexibility to use their resources in ways that make sense for local seniors, while at the same time, helping build strong partnerships to strengthen services and act as community hubs.
·Ontario is committed to helping seniors stay independent, healthy, active and engaged in their communities throughout all phases of their lives. With more than two million seniors in Ontario — a number that is expected to double in 25 years — the province has an important role in supporting seniors’ well-being and opportunities to thrive.

LEARN MORE
·Apply online
·Find your local centre
·Read more about how the 2017 Ontario Budget is helping seniors

For more information, please contact:
Michael Chan, M.P.P., Markham-Unionville 905-305-1935
Dr. Helena Jaczek, M.P.P., Oak Ridges-Markham 905-294-4931
Reza Moridi, M.P.P., Richmond Hill 905-884-8080
Steven Del Duca, M.P.P., Vaughan 905-893-4428
Chris Ballard, M.P.P., Newmarket-Aurora 905-750-0019