Provincial funding will help keep seniors active, healthy, and connected in the Town of Aurora
| NEWS | June 23, 2026 |
AURORA —Today, MPP Dawn Gallagher Murphy announced that the Town of Aurora is receiving $122,578 in annual funding for seniors programming.
“Ontario’s seniors have helped build the strong communities we enjoy today, and they deserve opportunities to remain active, engaged, and connected,” said Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP for Newmarket–Aurora. “This investment of more than $122,000 will support programs that promote healthy aging, lifelong learning, and social connection, helping seniors in Aurora continue to live active and independent lives close to 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.
“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.”
The funding includes $57,288 for the Virtual Aurora Seniors Centre, which serves more than 2,000 older adults and seniors in Aurora, York Region, and across Ontario through virtual programming. Participants can access active living classes, social engagement opportunities, and educational sessions on topics such as financial management, fall prevention, and elder abuse awareness.
An additional $57,640 will support programming at the Aurora Seniors Centre, which serves more than 2,000 older adults and seniors throughout York Region, including recent Chinese and Asian immigrants. The centre offers in-person, online, and hybrid programming focused on fitness, recreation, social activities, and lifelong learning.
The Town of Aurora will also receive $7,650 through the Seniors Community Grant Program to deliver Living Your Best Life in Aurora, a six-part series designed to help older adults explore healthy eating, mental wellness, community engagement, and public transit options while remaining active participants in community life.
The Seniors Community Grants is a unique Ontario government grant designed to reduce social isolation, fight ageism and create positive connections. Up to $25,000 per project is invested in local services, activities and events to provide seniors with opportunities for greater social inclusion, volunteerism and community engagement.
“This investment is critical to ensuring older adults in Aurora continue to have opportunities to stay active and engaged,” said Mayor Tom Mrakas. “And perhaps above all else, it’s programs offered through the Aurora Seniors Centre and the Virtual Aurora Seniors Centre that give older adults a sense of belonging and community – something we know is so important to healthy aging. I want to sincerely thank the Ontario government for its continued investment in initiatives that make a meaningful difference in the lives of our seniors.”
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