​






Dipika Damerla: Facebook page

#DipikaDamerla, #SeniorsCommunityGrant, #HabitatforHumanity, #EneUnderwood 

Toronto, Sep 26 (Canadian-Media): Ontario is providing more opportunities for seniors to be active, healthy and engaged in their communities with an expansion of its successful Seniors Community Grant program.

Dipika Damerla, Minister of Seniors Affairs, was at Habitat for Humanity's build site on Pinery  Trail in Scarborough to announce that the province is once again accepting applications for innovative projects that help seniors live active and healthy lives.

Habitat for Humanity received a Seniors Community Grant of $8,000 earlier this year to help expand its volunteer program and get 50 seniors in the Kingston region involved in helping to build affordable housing in the community.

Habitat for Humanity: Facebook page

​Now in its fifth year, the program has supported more than 1,300 local projects, helping approximately 435,000 seniors across the province. This year, organizations can apply for up to $100,000 for projects that are larger in scope, leverage partnerships and have the potential to benefit more seniors over time.

“Habitat for Humanity GTA greatly relies on the time, talent and passion of senior volunteers to help ensure we can continue our work for more working, low-income families each year. We are thrilled to see the Government of Ontario increasing their support for organizations like ours who are engaging seniors in their efforts to build stronger communities,” Ene Underwood, CEO, Habitat for Humanity Greater Toronto Area (City of Toronto and its adjoining cities).

“The Seniors Community Grant program has a track record of success. By working at the community level, the province is helping to ensure that seniors are staying active and connected. Hundreds of projects completed over the past four years have focused on volunteerism, learning, social inclusion, mental well-being and physical activity, creating a positive impact on seniors in their community,” said Dipika Damerla.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)

Toronto, Sep 19 (Canadian-Media):  In the event of the rising epidemic of opioid crisis in Ontario, Dr. Eric Hoskins, Ontario Minister of Health and Long-Term Care issued the following statement today: 

Eric Hoskins. Image credit: Twitter handle

"The opioid crisis in Ontario is a tragic and growing issue, one we are continuing to work diligently to combat. As part of our government's commitment to openness, transparency and evidence-based decision-making, we are continuing to make relevant data widely available, including to health care providers and planners working on the front lines, as well as to the public. 

Today, we have updated the Interactive Opioid Tracker with data from April 1 - June 30, 2017. As part of the $222 million announced last month to fight the opioid crisis, Ontario is making $21 million immediately available to help community-based addiction organizations in their response to this crisis. In addition, our government is making fentanyl testing strips available that can identify whether a substance contains fentanyl. These strips will at first be made available at all current supervised injection services and pop-up sites and will be evaluated for further distribution. We know that our work isn't over -- we continue to work closely with our partners, increasing access to treatment and supports as we fight this public health crisis together."

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)​