MPP Rickford Announces Seniors Community Grants in the Northwest

June 17, 2025

KENORA — Today, as part of Ontario’s continued celebration of Seniors Month, MPP Greg Rickford announcedover $44,000 in funding through the 2025-26 Seniors Community Grants.

“The investments made today make a real difference for seniors and families across the Northwest,” said Greg Rickford, MPP for Kenora—Rainy River. “From local workshops to wellness programs, we are working with community partners to ensure seniors aren’t just staying active – they are staying connected and diversifying their skills close to home. I look forward to visiting our seniors centres soon to celebrate with participants and see firsthand the positive impact these programs are having in our communities.”

  • $19,097 towards the City of Kenora’s Age-Friendly Living: Home, Heart & Connection to deliver a one-day expo for over 250 local seniors with workshops dedicated to art, fitness, cooking, gardening, and technology.
  • $24,982 towards the Sunrise Echoes Seniors Club in Sioux Narrows to expand their L.E.A.P. (Learn. Exercise. Activities. Participation) 4 Northern Seniors programming to include workshops like woodworking and genealogy. 

“The Kenora Age-Friendly Committee is very grateful to have successfully received the Seniors Community Grant with our application partner, the City of Kenora,” said Mary Bawden, Committee Chair of the Kenora Age-Friendly Committee. “This grant will allow us to host a complementary Older Adults Fair and Lunch at Seven Generations on September 25th. The event will include exhibits from services and businesses focused on Older Adults, with a variety of presentations – many of which will have follow-up workshops at a later date in the Fall with hands on experiences such as cooking on a budget and using technology like phones and tablets. We will also be simulcast to seven First Nations communities in the local area. Watch for upcoming announcements.”

“The Sunrise Echoes Seniors Club in Sioux Narrows would like to thank Minister Raymond Cho, MPP Greg Rickford, and the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility for their generous support of our grant application under the Seniors Community Grant Program,” said Rebecca Condon, Facility Manager of the Sunrise Echoes Seniors Club. “We are very excited that our L.E.A.P. 4 Northern Seniors Project can now offer many varied on-site workshops in arts and crafts, weekly fitness classes, and intergenerational activities within the community that encourage inclusion and active participation.  It is because of the Ministry’s dedication and support of our seniors here in the North that we are able to successfully enhance the quality of life for our older residents.”

June is Seniors Month – a time when the province showcases and celebrates the incredible contributions seniors continue to make in communities across Ontario.

“Amid economic uncertainty and rising costs, Premier Ford and our government are proud to protect our seniors and ensure they have access to affordable and reliable community supports,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “The Seniors Community Grant Program is a critical lifeline in every corner of our province for seniors to learn new skills, get fit, enjoy group activities, and stay connected to their neighbours and friends.”

Ontario is also expanding Seniors Active Living Centres (SALCs) to over 400 sites to increase access to services that connect seniors to activities and programs close to home. The centres promote wellness, encourage social interaction, and combat ageism to help seniors stay active, independent, and engaged within their communities.

Finally, the government is supporting the over 100 Seniors Active Living Fairs expected to take place in 2025-26 which will provide more opportunities for seniors to learn about supports and resources in their community. 

QUICK FACTS

  • Pending signing of a Transfer Payment Agreement (TPA), the Seniors Community Grants Program provides funding ranging from $1,000 up to $25,000 for local projects.
  • See the full list of 2025-26 Seniors Community Grants.
  • To find a SALC near you, visit this link.
  • Ontario’s 2025 Budget increased funding for the Seniors Community Grant Program by an additional $1 million, with special focus on supporting Ontario’s veterans.
  • 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.

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