Province kicks in to keep seniors active

The province is shelling out for seniors.

Indeed, on the morning of January 14, the Ontario government announced it is investing $3.7 million in 316 Seniors Active Living Centre programs across the province. Callander, Mattawa, and North Bay are sharing some of those spoils.

Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility, detailed, “Our government continues to invest in Seniors Active Living Centre programs that are improving the health and well-being of Ontario’s aging population.”

This payment marks the fourth of a quarterly instalment for this fiscal year. Minister Cho added, “This year, we have increased our investment in Seniors Active Living Centres by almost one million dollars over last year, to provide seniors with more opportunities to access programs and supports.”

The province has increased funding for Seniors Active Living Centres, “from up to $42,700 to up to $55,000” the Ministry detailed in a release. Around $15 million is split between the centres annually, doled out in quarterly payment.

The Callander Elderly Person’s Centre, within the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 445 on Lansdowne Street received $6,600. The North Bay Golden Age Club was given $12,500. The same amount also went to the Mattawa Senior Citizens Club.

See: Fedeli and Minister Cho give to area seniors

The province also plans to invest an additional $17 million to increase the number of Seniors Active Living Centres throughout the province. The goal is to add 100, which would bring the number of centres to 416.

Sue Hesjedahl, executive director, Older Adult Centre’s Association of Ontario, noted, “The government’s investment in adding up to 100 more Seniors Active Living Centre programs across Ontario, along with over a 28 per cent increase in base funding since 2023-24, demonstrates a significant commitment to supporting seniors in Ontario.”

David Briggs is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter who works out of BayToday, a publication of Village Media. The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.