Sault seniors facilities get nearly $177K in provincial funds

TORONTO — Five facilities in Sault Ste. Marie will receive almost $177,000 in provincial funding to help seniors in Northeastern Ontario stay fit, active, healthy and socially connected to their communities.

Over $1.1 million is being invested in 28 Seniors Active Living Centres across the region as part of the more than $15 million in funding for programs province-wide this year. This investment is an increase of close to 10 per cent from last year, resulting in a majority of SALC programs getting a funding increase from $42,700 to up to $50,000 to deliver a variety of programs such as book clubs, fitness classes, health and wellness services, social groups, and other special events.

Locally, the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre will receive $24,725; the city $24,908; the Sault Community Information & Career Centre Inc. $24,650; the City of Sault Ste. Marie - Senior Services Drop-In Centre $51,137; the City of Sault Ste. Marie - Steelton Senior Services Centre $51,107.

“The diverse projects funded though this year’s Seniors Active Living Centre Programs and the Seniors Community Grant show the vibrancy of the communities of Sault Ste. Marie and those across Algoma,” said Ross Romano, MPP for Sault Ste. Marie. “Thank you to our dedicated community partners who have developed programming that will help to remove barriers and foster participation in a wide variety of activities, promoting opportunities for seniors to connect, engage and share experiences within their community.”

Added Minister for Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho: “Seniors helped build the Ontario we’re proud to live in today. When we invest in our seniors, we are building a better province for all. These investments help seniors live happy, healthy, and independent lives.”

Over $500,000 is also being invested through Seniors Community Grants to support 24 programs across Northeastern Ontario that are connecting seniors and older adults to social, cultural, learning, and recreational opportunities for seniors to stay fit, healthy and connected in their communities. This is part of the government’s recent investment of up to $6 million to support 282 community projects across Ontario.

Three facilities in Timmins will receive funding and one in Elliot Lake.

“Seniors spent their lives looking after us, and now it is time to look after them,” said George Pirie, MPP for Timmins. “That’s why our government is investing over $85,000 through Seniors Active Living Centres and Seniors Community Grants (SCGs). Our investment will help connect seniors in Timmins and across Northern Ontario to programs that create fulfilling experiences and, most importantly, improve the quality of life.”

Quick Facts

• 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.
• There are now 316 Seniors Active Living Centre programs across Ontario.
• Seniors can use the online search tool to find a SALC program near them.
• See the full list of 2024-25 Seniors Community Grants.
• Since 2018, Ontario has invested in over 1,700 Seniors Community Grant programs.

Additional Resources

• 2024-25 SALC and SCG Program Investments in Northeastern Ontario
• Guide to Programs and Services for Seniors
• Ontario.ca/seniors