The Nation Municipality, ON – A special announcement was held on Wednesday, July 2 at The Nation Municipality’s Town Hall, where MPP Stéphane Sarrazin formally announced that The Nation is now officially recognized as a Seniors Active Living Centre (SALC) and has been approved to receive $51,682 in funding from the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility for the 2025-2026 program year.
“I am pleased that The Nation Municipality is now recognized as an Active Living Centre for Seniors. This status will allow seniors in the region to benefit from activities and services that promote their well-being, autonomy, and community involvement. Supporting our seniors is a priority, and I am proud that this wonderful initiative is developing in our riding,” said Stéphane Sarrazin, Member of Provincial Parliament for Glengarry-Prescott-Russell.
The event featured a presentation by the Recreation Department, offering local seniors a preview of the diverse programming and activities that will be supported through this funding. It concluded with remarks from Mayor Francis Brière, who emphasized the importance of investing in seniors’ health, well-being, and continued community engagement.
With its first annual funding application approved, The Nation received $51,034 in operational funding, which represents 80 percent of the total program cost. The remaining 20 percent is contributed by the Municipality through in-kind support, such as facility use. An additional Special Grant of $648 was awarded to enhance accessibility in local parks.
“Seniors Active Living Centres are helping to protect the well-being of seniors by providing opportunities to stay connected, active and engaged in their communities. We are honoured to support The Nation Municipality for the diverse programming and activities they provide and look forward to seeing the positive impact this centre will have on the lives of local seniors,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility.
Programming
Kicking its first year as a Seniors Active Living Centre, The Nation is excited to offer a wide range of activities for local seniors, including:
In addition, the $648 Special Grant will support the installation of seasonal shade structures and benches in two local parks, improving comfort, accessibility, and inclusivity for seniors.
“We are extremely grateful to the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility for recognizing The Nation as a Seniors Active Living Centre. Our seniors are active, engaged, and an essential part of our community’s heartbeat. This funding allows us to support their well-being and ensure they continue to thrive, connect, and inspire,” said Francis Brière, Mayor of The Nation Municipality.
Background
The Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility’s Seniors Active Living Centres (SALC) Program promotes wellness, social connection, inclusion, and lifelong learning to help older adults remain active, independent, and engaged in their communities. The program aims to expand access to services that reflect the diverse needs of seniors across cultures, interests, abilities, and geographic areas.
Earlier this year, The Nation Municipality was officially designated as one of over 400 SALCs across Ontario as part of the Ministry’s 2024–2025 expansion. The Municipality also received $9,262 in start-up funding to support equipment purchases and volunteer training in preparation for this new role.
As a member of the SALC network, The Nation Municipality is now eligible to apply for annual funding to sustain and grow seniors programming in the community.
Contact
For more information about The Nation Municipality’s Seniors Active Living Centre or to get involved, please contact the Recreation Department at recreation@nationmun.ca.
Learn More About the Program
