Ontario Building More Accessible Communities

New funding for Township of Tiny making Simcoe North more inclusive

News Release: November 10, 2022

Simcoe North – Today, Jill Dunlop, MPP Simcoe North announced the Ontario government is providing $57,600 to the Township of Tiny through this year’s Inclusive Community Grants Program that provides funding to municipalities, Indigenous groups, and community organizations for programs and infrastructure projects that promote inclusivity for older adults and persons with disabilities.

“Ontario’s older residents and people with disabilities deserve to have more inclusive opportunities to stay fit, active, healthy, and socially connected to their community,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “That is why our government is investing in projects across the province that will build community programming and accessible infrastructure that will help increase the wellbeing and quality of life for older adults and people with disabilities.”

“The Township of Tiny is proactive and innovative in providing programs, services and facilities in response to the needs of its community members and municipal staff” stated Mayor George Cornell. “Funding received through the Inclusive Community Grant program will allow the municipality to enhance public washrooms with the installation of touchless sinks and toilets, increasing ease of use for all citizens including our older population and those with disabilities. On behalf of the Township of Tiny I would like to thank the Ministry for the funding received through the Inclusive Community program as these support municipalities in their endeavours to become more age-friendly and more accessible to all citizens.”

“The government believes it is our responsibility to ensure that Ontario’s seniors and people with disabilities stay socially connected and engaged,” said Jill Dunlop, MPP Simcoe North. “The project here in the Township of Tiny perfectly meets the unique needs of seniors and people with disabilities through innovation.”

The Ontario government is investing more than $740,000 in seventeen Inclusive Community Grants Program Projects across the province in 2022-23 that promote innovation and expand digital literacy to older adults and persons with disabilities, support infrastructure upgrades to improve accessibility and respond to the unique needs of Indigenous communities, and much more.

Quick Facts:
▪ Twenty per cent of Ontarians ages 15 to 65 have a disability and forty-three percent of Ontarians over age 65 also have a disability. These numbers are expected to increase as the population ages.
▪ By 2025, there will be 3 million older adults in Ontario – the fastest growing demographic group in the province.
▪ Inclusive and Age-Friendly Communities work to promote accessibility, safety and active living for older adults and people with disabilities.
▪ This years projects will reach and serve over 150 small communities; create over 32,000 social connections for older people and/or people with disabilities; and engage over 36,000 people province wide.

Additional Resources:
▪ Community Supports for Seniors
▪ Accessibility in Ontario
▪ Age-Friendly Community Planning Guide