MPP Walker announces Inclusive Community Grant for Grey County

Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Bill Walker has announced that Grey County will receive a $60,000 grant from the Inclusive Community Grants program to support the county’s Age Friendly Community Strategy and Action Plan.

The Ontario Government is investing $2.9 million through the Inclusive Community Grants program to support 55 diverse community projects that will keep people of all ages and abilities healthy and engaged across the province. This funding will help municipal partners, Indigenous groups and community organizations strengthen and build more inclusive communities.

“Inclusive Community Grants projects are a great way for our local projects go from idea to reality, here in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound” said Walker. “This is great news for all residents in Grey County and I want to thank Minister Cho for his ongoing support of his important projects during these challenging times.”

The Inclusive Community Grant will support Grey County with the Age Friendly Community Strategy and Action Plan, building on recent policy and research initiatives undertaken by the County.  The strategy will provide a road map to guide the corporation, and also inform the work of nine small rural member municipalities and other community partners to help ensure that decisions and actions reflect and respond to the needs of older adults in their communities. The Action Plan will outline short and medium term initiatives to bring the strategy to life.

“These projects will make a huge difference in the quality of life for older adults and people with disabilities,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “Through the Inclusive Community Grants we are taking steps to ensure that municipalities and local organizations are able to make our communities more inclusive and accessible – it’s a great example of what we can achieve when we work together!”

Municipalities and local organizations across Ontario can receive up to $60,000 through Inclusive Community Grants for projects that foster inclusive community involvement for older adults and people of all abilities, using the province’s age-friendly community planning guide.

The program is part of the government’s plan to help older adults and people with disabilities become more active in their local communities.

Fifteen per cent of Ontarians have a disability and this number will increase as the population ages and, by 2023, there will be three million Ontarians over the age of 65 – older adults are the province’s fastest growing demographic.