On Wednesday, July 2, The Nation municipality announced it had received a $51,682 grant from the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility (MSA) to support active senior living in the community. The municipality was also recognized as a Seniors Active Living Centre (SALC), a program that promotes wellness, social connection, inclusion, and lifelong learning for older adults.
Glengarry-Prescott-Russell Member of Provincial Parliament (MPP) Stéphane Sarrazin said, “The SALC status will allow seniors in the region to benefit from activities and services that promote their well-being, autonomy, and continued community involvement.”
“Supporting our seniors is a priority, and I am proud that this wonderful initiative is developing in our riding,” Sarrazin added.
The provincial initiative aims to expand access to services that reflect the diverse needs of seniors aged 55 and older, including their specific interests, abilities, and geographic areas, covering more than 400 centres across Ontario.
“We are honoured to support The Nation municipality for the diverse programming and activities they provide and look forward to seeing the positive impact this SALC will have on the lives of local seniors,” Minister for Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho said.
The Nation announced that SALC programming will be available at the following community centres:
- The St-Isidore Recreation Centre
- The Nation Sports Complex
- The Fournier Community Centre
- The St-Albert Community Centre
- And the Caledonia Community Centre
Approximately $51,000 will be used to support operations from September 2025 until the end of March 2026, with the remaining $1,000 earmarked for enhancing accessibility at local parks.
“We’re open for business now, and we want to hear from seniors about the best ways to serve your needs,” Mayor of The Nation Francis Brière said.
Senior programming will include exercise classes through a partnership with the Centre de santé communautaire de l’Estrie. SALC programs will also include walking groups, line dancing, board games, darts, cornhole, pickleball, skating, and bowling.
A senior attendee at the announcement commented, “I know we love pickleball. We have one woman here who is 77 years old and plays four times a week! I’m pleased we’ll be able to profit from this investment in our community.”
The Nation will also be inviting guest speakers to give presentations on topics that matter to seniors, creating an environment that is informative, engaging, and tailored to the specific interests of the community.
All programming details are available at www.nationmun.ca/SALC, where residents can view schedules, submit suggestions, or volunteer.
