MPP Stephen Lecce and MPP Laura Smith announce $57,640 for Reena’s Seniors Active Living Centre in Vaughan

VAUGHAN — Today, MPP Stephen Lecce and MPP Laura Smith announced that Reena’s Seniors Active Living Centre in Vaughan is receiving $57,640 in annual funding.

“Just this past March, we were proud to launch Reena’s new Seniors Active Living Centre right in the heart of our community, and now, we are doubling down on our promise to deliver for the greatest generation,” said Stephen Lecce, MPP for King—Vaughan. “Our mission is simple: to help seniors stay fit, active, healthy, and socially connected. This is about giving back to the people who helped build this great country we all call home.”

This year, Ontario is investing a record amount of close to $23 million to support 416 Seniors Active Living Centre (SALCs) programs across the province, including 97 new ones.

“This Seniors month I’m excited to share that through this year’s funding allocation, we are continuing to support the incredible seniors in our community,” said Laura Smith, MPP for Thornhill. “Our government remains committed to ensuring seniors have access to the facilities and programs they need to stay active, healthy, and connected. Seniors Active Living Centres play an important role in supporting physical well-being, reducing isolation, and creating opportunities for older adults to remain engaged in their communities.”

The Active Living and Wellness Program for Seniors is located in Vaughan at the Schwartz Reisman Centre and serves 50 older adults and seniors including persons with developmental disabilities, mental health needs, and socially isolated community members. Programming is offered in-person and includes wellness and fitness activities, social recreation, swimming, gardening, and health promotion sessions. The program also strengthens access to primary care through partnerships with the Western York Region Ontario Health Team, Reena health clinics, and York Region Public Health. Activities support seniors to stay active, connected, and engaged in their community.

“Senior Active Living Centres keep our seniors, fit, active, healthy, socially connected, close to their homes and in their communities,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “Thanks to Premier Ford’s leadership our government is making the largest investment in Seniors Active Living Centre programs in Ontario’s history.  This will help even more seniors, no matter where they live, including those in a city or rural, remote and northern communities live more healthy, happy and independent lives.”

This year, we are also proudly celebrating the 60th anniversary of the first six Elderly Persons’ Centres—now known as Seniors Active Living Centre programs—established under the Elderly Persons’ Centres Act, 1966.

That’s six decades of expanding access to programs that help more seniors stay active, healthy, and socially connected, ultimately improving their overall well‑being.

The Ontario government is focused on helping seniors stay socially connected, engaged in their communities, and close to home, supporting a happier and higher quality of life.

Quick Facts

• There are now 416 Seniors Active Living Centres in Ontario. 

• Ontario now invests up to $55, 000 for each Seniors Active Living Centre.  That’s up from $50, 000 last year and $42, 700 the year before for operations and maintenance

• In 2024, SALCs received their very first funding increase in 15 years.

• For more information please visit Seniors Active Living Centres (SALC) program

QUOTES

“At Reena, we believe that every person deserves the opportunity to age with dignity, purpose, and connection. We thank the Government of Ontario, MPP Laura Smith, and MPP Stephen Lecce for their support of our Seniors Active Living Centre. This investment strengthens our ability to provide inclusive wellness, recreation, and health-focused programming that helps seniors remain active, healthy, and connected to their community. It is an important step toward building a more inclusive and supportive future for older adults across York Region."

—Bryan Keshen, CEO of Reena

MEDIA CONTACT                                                                                              

Stephen Lecce, MPP for King—Vaughan

Constituency Office

Tel.: 647-560-9700        

Email: Stephen.Lecce@pc.ola.org