June 6th Weekly Update

Ontario Celebrates Seniors Month

June is Seniors Month in Ontario – a time to honour and celebrate the contributions and hard work that Ontario’s older adults have made to our province throughout their lives. 

This year’s theme, Working for Seniors is about the programs and services helping seniors all over the province stay independent, fit, active, and healthy. Our government is working for seniors by investing more than ever before in hundreds of local programs and services every year because when seniors have more opportunities to be social and together, they have a happier and better quality of life.

This year, we are investing up to $6 million in more than 280 Seniors Community Grant projects that help local groups and organizations empower seniors to be active and connected to family and friends in their community – from Tai Chi lessons, lawn bowling and other physical activities, to arts and music appreciation, to virtual speakers’ series, day trips, and so much more.

We are also investing over $14 million to support nearly 300 Seniors Active Living Centres. These community hubs bring older adults, aged 50 + together so they can participate in classes and activities such as learning seminars, fitness, and cooking.

“Our government believes that anyone who wants to work should have the opportunity to work. That’s why we are committed to removing barriers to employment for people with disabilities and connecting jobseekers and employers,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “These projects help create inclusive opportunities for Ontarians with disabilities to thrive in the workplace, strengthen our economy and enrich our communities.”

The other four projects are run by Community Living Toronto, Do Good Donuts, the Geneva Centre for Autism and PTP Adult Learning & Employment Programs in partnership with George Brown College. These programs will support 2,470 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who will have the chance to build in-demand skills, receive employment counselling, job coaching, hands-on training, and paid work placements. Additional mental health services will be available for those who need it.

These projects are funded through the Skills Development Fund, a $700 million initiative, which supports ground-breaking programs that connect jobseekers with the skills and training they need to find well-paying careers close to home. The government will be unveiling more programs to help people with disabilities in the coming months.

For more information and the list of funding recipients, see the Backgrounder.

The Ontario government is lowering the minimum age requirement to be a lifeguard, assistant lifeguard and aquatic instructor from 16 to 15 years of age to help communities address staffing shortages and make sure pools and recreational camp waterfronts across the province can be enjoyed safely. This change aligns the minimum age requirements with updated age requirements established by the Lifesaving Society’s certification course.

“As school rises for the summer and the weather warms up, we spend more time enjoying pools and camp waterfronts,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “Lowering the age for youth to become lifeguards creates more job opportunities for youth in a rewarding position that can help keep community pools and recreational camp waterfronts safe.”

These changes come into effect today, on June 2, 2023. As a result, communities will now have access to more lifeguards so businesses and municipalities can hire additional staff ahead of the summer season. Access to more lifeguards will also help operators maintain and expand their hours of operation for public swimming and aquatic lessons.