Ontario Allocates $20 Million to Expand 300 Seniors Community and Active Living Centers

TORONTO, ON — Minister for Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho announced a $20 million provincial investment under the Seniors Community Grant Program and the Seniors Active Living Centres (SALC) initiative, delivering direct operational funding to 300 municipal and non-profit seniors' centers across Ontario.

Keeping Older Ontarians Healthy, Socially Connected, and Independent

The funding packages provide up to $50,000 per center to expand community health promotion classes, subsidized hot meal delivery vans, adult day programs for seniors with early-stage dementia, and wheelchair-accessible shuttle van routes connecting seniors to medical appointments and grocery stores. Provincial geriatric health research demonstrates that community active living programs reduce senior isolation, prevent falls, and delay premature admissions to long-term care homes.

Premier Doug Ford and Minister Cho affirmed that seniors built the province of Ontario, ensuring they have access to vibrant community spaces that support active, healthy aging.

Older Adult Centers and Municipal Councils Praise

Older Adult Centres' Association of Ontario (OACAO) praised the stable annual grant funding for expanding bilingual and multicultural seniors' programs.

Rural municipal mayors commended the subsidized community shuttle van funding for preventing elder isolation in rural townships.

Program Grant Disbursement Schedule

Grant funding will transfer to municipal and non-profit seniors' center bank accounts on October 1, 2026.