Helping Ontario Seniors Stay Fit, Healthy and Active

Increasing our investments in Seniors Active Living Centres bringing resources and activities closer to home in Windsor–Tecumseh

TECUMSEH — Following an announcement made last week that the Tecumseh Senior Active Living Centre has received $51,137 from the Ontario government to expand its programs, MPP for Windsor-Tecumseh Andrew Dowie announced that the Town of Tecumseh will receive an additional $15,000 through the Seniors Community Grant. The nearly $76,000 combined will help support the Town of Tecumseh’s growing demand for senior active living programs.

“Senior community programming has been a vital service in Tecumseh for decades,” said Dowie. “Our government is proud to continue to support the Town of Tecumseh’s services, activities and programs that keep our seniors stay connected all year long.”

The up to $15 million 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.

The Seniors Community Grants Program is a unique Ontario government grant that offers up to $25,000 per project to invest in local programs, services and events to provide seniors with opportunities for greater social inclusion, volunteerism and community engagement. 

“We are thrilled to see these significant investments into our senior programming with funding for the Tecumseh’s Seniors Active Living Centre and through the Seniors Community Grant Program,” said Tecumseh Mayor Gary McNamara. “The SALC is a cornerstone of our community, offering resources and activities that help our seniors stay active, engaged, and connected. These funding boosts will enable us to expand our programs and reach even more seniors in Tecumseh, ensuring they have the support they need to lead healthy and fulfilling lives. We are grateful to the Ontario government for recognizing the importance of these centres and for their continued commitment to our older adults.”

“Senior Active Living Centres help build healthier, safer communities by providing a community hub for older adults,’’ said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “Our government’s expansion and investment in Seniors Active Living Centre programs will help even more older adults, including those in remote areas, get the support they need to live healthy, independent lives.”   

Due to the overwhelming success of Ontario’s more than 300 Seniors Active Living Centres being delivered by municipalities, new changes to the Seniors Active Living Centres Act, 2017 came into effect as of June 1, 2024, that enable more types of organizations to deliver Seniors Active Living Centre programs.  

A call for proposals for organizations to deliver SALC programming will open later this summer. In addition to municipalities, other local and community-based organizations such as Legions, Lion’s Clubs, and other social and recreational clubs are now welcome to apply. 

This announcement comes as Ontario marks Seniors Month, a time to celebrate the accomplishments of older people in the province.

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 program near them.  

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

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