McGuinty Government Investing $5.5 Million In Northern Ontario Social Services Agencies

Infrastructure Investments Will Strengthen Community Agencies Serving People In Need

SAULT STE MARIE, ON, Feb. 28 – The McGuinty government is investing $5.5 million in more than 420 infrastructure projects that will strengthen community agencies that provide programs and services to people in need in northern Ontario, Sault Ste. Marie MPP David Orazietti announced today on behalf of Minister of Community and Social Services Madeleine Meilleur.

“Our government believes that people in need in our communities deserve all the help we can give them,” said Meilleur. “By investing in our social services agencies, we are making sure that vulnerable Ontarians have a safe, accessible place to go when they need support the most.”

More than $5.5 million is being directed to 369 developmental services agency projects and 55 violence against women agency projects in the region. Projects focus on physical building improvements, such as expanding residential and day program sites, adding accessibility features for people with disabilities, and boosting safety and security features. <<
Major investments in northern Ontario include:

– Crisis Homes Inc. of Thunder Bay – receiving $135,000 to renovate a 24-bed shelter for women fleeing domestic violence
– OPTIONS Northwest – receiving $90,000 to build an addition to a group home to accommodate individuals with complex behavioral needs in Thunder Bay
– Atikokan Crisis Centre – receiving $63,600 to add more bathrooms to an existing shelter
– Crisis Centre North Bay – receiving $250,000 to renovate administrative office space to better serve those in need.

"Our government wants to help the organizations that support the people in our community continue to provide the best possible services," said Orazietti. "We're confident these investments will do just that and make a positive difference in the lives of northern Ontarians."

"We are thrilled that this government remains committed to supporting social service agencies," said John Policicchio, Chief Executive Officer of Community Living Algoma. "This investment will go a long way to helping agencies offer the best possible services to those who need them the most."

Overall, the government is injecting $36.5 million into Ontario communities to stimulate employment and improve social services agencies. Funding for these initiatives comes from the government's $190 million economic stimulus package, which is a key component of the government's plan to foster a stronger workforce and a stronger economy.

Announced in the 2006 Fall Economic Outlook and Fiscal Review, the stimulus package aims to boost jobs and growth through a focus on four key areas:

– Focused training and job services to help job-threatened and laid-off workers find new jobs
– Fast-tracking infrastructure projects to generate immediate economic activity and job creation
– Encouraging Ontario tourism to boost economic activity and tourism-related jobs
– Strengthening interprovincial trade to match industrial needs in Alberta with Ontario's industrial capacity.

"While the economy remains fundamentally strong, it is important to remember that slower growth has a real impact on people and communities," said Finance Minister Greg Sorbara. "Each of the four areas we are focusing on represents the building blocks of a sound economic foundation. Investing in these areas now means a more prosperous and competitive future for Ontario."

Disponible en français

www.mcss.gov.on.ca

Backgrounder
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN ONTARIO COMMUNITIES

Through targeted investments in Ontario's social services agencies, the government is helping Ontario workers and communities most affected by slower growth in the economy. The provincewide economic stimulus program of more than $190 million includes $36.5 million for Ontario social services agencies that provide community services to people with disabilities and to women and their children fleeing domestic violence.
Infrastructure investments are a key part of this initiative. Ontario's community social services agencies are receiving a boost in financial support to improve and maintain their facilities. These investments will help:
– Replace or repair buildings (e.g., roof/shingle replacement; boiler/hot water/furnace/air conditioning replacement or repair; Fire and Building Code compliance)
– Improve accessibility for people with disabilities (e.g.,
installing/repairing ramps; accessible washroom renovations; accessible shelter accommodation)
– Increase and improve day program and residential spaces for people with a developmental disability (e.g., acquiring and/or renovating buildings to accommodate high and/or complex needs; increasing rural capacity for programs)
– Increase and improve shelter spaces for women and their children (e.g., acquiring and/or renovating shelter spaces and common areas; replacing existing inadequate shelters), and
– Improve facilities at agencies that serve Aboriginal and francophone communities (e.g., improvements to accessibility for supported independent living; adding new shelter beds in French-speaking communities).

These investments will be shared by social services agencies in communities throughout Ontario, including:
– More than $29 million to agencies that support individuals with a developmental disability
– More than $6.3 million to shelters, counselling agencies and transitional and housing support agencies who work to protect women and their children.

More than $2.7 million will support social services agencies that provide French-language services, and more than $780,000 will go to Ontario agencies that serve Aboriginals who live on-reserve or in rural and urban communities.

Contact:
Marc Despatie
Minister's Office
416-325-5219

Paul Doig
Communications and Marketing Branch
416-325-5187

Disponible en français
www.mcss.gov.on.ca

Backgrounder
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SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCIES IN NORTHERN ONTARIO WILL SHARE THE BENEFITS OF ECONOMIC STIMULUS INVESTMENTS

The provincewide economic stimulus program of more than $190 million includes $36.5 million for Ontario social services agencies that provide community services to people with disabilities and to women and their children fleeing domestic violence.
Social services agencies in northern Ontario are receiving more than $5.5 million to improve and maintain their facilities. The funding will be put towards capital and infrastructure projects, such as acquiring a new 24-bed shelter, installing accessibility features in group home bathrooms, and improving sites to decrease electricity costs.
In the region, 55 agencies are conducting 369 capital projects at their developmental services sites, and 34 women's agencies are involved in 55 projects. The following are receiving funding for projects in these two sectors:

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