Health News For South West


Friday, December 06, 2024
Ontario. Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility
Ontario Invests in Largest Expansion of Seniors Active Living Centres

$17 million increase in funding supporting opening of more than 100 new Seniors Active Living Centres

Today, the Ontario government announced the largest single-year expansion for Seniors Active Living Centres in its history. Ontario is increasing funding by $17 million to expand services and activities and adding up to 100 new Seniors Active Living Centre (SALC) programs over the next year.

“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. “This shows Premier Ford’s and our entire government’s commitment to keeping our seniors fit, active, healthy and socially connected in their communities.”

The government is investing up to $17 million extra over three years, beginning in 2024-25, increasing the number of SALCs across Ontario from 316 to 416, expanding access to services for seniors and those with disabilities in underserved communities. A call for proposals was launched in July 2024 and successful new SALC recipients will be announced starting in early 2025.

Due to the overwhelming success of the more than 300 Seniors Active Living Centres, recent changes in effect this year now enable more types of organizations to deliver Seniors Active Living Centre programs, including municipalities, non-profit corporations, registered charities, Indigenous groups, Legions, Lions Clubs and recreational clubs.

These changes are one more way the province is meeting the needs of Ontario’s aging population and better supporting the people who care for seniors by improving and expanding supports for seniors no matter where they live.    
         
Quick Facts:

  • On June 1, 2024, changes to the Seniors Active Living Centres Act, 2017 came into effect letting more types of organizations provide the 20 per cent 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 2024 Fall Economic Statement.
  • SALC programs will be able to request 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.
  • Elderly Persons Centres were created in 1966.
         
Additional Resources:


Media Contacts:

Shan Qiao
Minister’s Office
shan.qiao@ontario.ca

Media Desk
Communications Branch
msaa.media@ontario.ca

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