MPP Clark joins Minister Cho to announce the new Seniors Active Living Centre in Rideau Lakes Township

One of 100 new SALCs in Ontario to keep seniors fit, active, and socially connected

Portland — Steve Clark, MPP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, joined the Hon. Raymond Cho, Ontario’s Minister for Seniors and Accessibility, on Thursday to announce a new Seniors Active Living Centre (SALC) for Rideau Lakes Township.

Ontario is providing a $40,000 SALC grant to the municipality’s Golden Years Program to enable the township council’s seven Community Enhancement Committees to provide more programming for seniors. This funding will also assist in connecting seniors to other community resources and provide access to free recreational activities.

“I’m so pleased to have Minister Cho with us to celebrate this great news for seniors living in Rideau Lakes,” said MPP Clark, who made the announcement during a reception with seniors at the new Portland Community Hall and Library. “The Golden Years Seniors Active Living Centre funds will ensure the seniors who built our community have programs to keep them active and engaged, while remaining socially connected to each other and their communities. I’m proud our government is continuing to support healthy aging through this important program.”

This is one of 100 new SALC programs opening across the province this year to help improve seniors’ quality of life and build community engagement.

“We are delighted to expand activities and services to more seniors in Rideau Lakes Township,” said Minister Cho. “This program will help older adults of all abilities to thrive in their homes and communities.”

SALC programs offer seniors and older adults learning opportunities such as financial management and elder abuse prevention, and a variety of recreational and social activities, including fitness, healthy lifestyle, and wellness classes that are important supports in communities.

“This investment in the Golden Years Seniors Active Living Centre is a meaningful step forward in supporting our seniors,” said Rideau Lake Mayor Arie Hoogenboom. “Seniors are the foundation of our communities, and with this funding, we can expand access to programs that promote health, connection, and lifelong learning across Rideau Lakes. We are grateful to the province for recognizing the value of keeping seniors active, engaged, and supported close to home.”

The government remains committed to better supporting Ontario’s aging population and the people who care for them 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, allowing more types of organizations to provide the 20 per cent contribution requirement towards SALC programs’ operating costs. Now, SALC programs can be operated by municipalities, non-profit corporations, registered charities, Indigenous groups, Legions, Lions Clubs and recreational clubs.
• In the Fall Economic Statement of 2024, a $17 million increase in funding over three years was approved to support up to 100 new Seniors Active Living Centres.
• For 2025-26, 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

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

• Guide to Programs and Services for Seniors
• Ontario.ca/seniors
• SALC program search tool