News July 17, 2026
RENFREW-NIPISSING-PEMBROKE — Yesterday, MPP Billy Denault announced that Ontario
has received a Seniors Community Grant to support seven projects across
Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke that will help seniors stay active, healthy, and socially
connected in their communities.
“This Seniors Community Grant will help create new opportunities for local seniors to stay
active, engaged and connected within our community. By supporting programs that reduce
isolation and encourage participation, we are helping ensure seniors can continue living
healthy, fulfilling lives close to home. Thank you to Minister Raymond Cho and the
Government of Ontario for investing in the well-being of seniors across
Renfrew–Nipissing–Pembroke.”
– Billy Denault, MPP, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke
In Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, organizations receiving funding include:
Township of Greater Madawaska — $25,000
Greater Madawaska’s Seniors Active Living Centre (SALC) is expanding to meet growing
demand with swimming, Coffee and Cards, and beginner pickleball for adults 55+. The
program will reduce social isolation, support health and wellbeing, and connect approximately
120 seniors to their community between June 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027.
Township of South Algonquin — $23,800
Community Connections: Seniors Dinner Series will provide eight monthly dinners for older
adults in South Algonquin, featuring a nutritious meal, social connection, and wellness or
educational programming. The project will reduce social isolation, promote healthy aging,
improve access for homebound seniors, and increase awareness of safety and fraud-
prevention resources.
Township of Brudenell, Lyndoch and Raglan — $9,940
A senior-led monthly lunch program in Palmer Rapids will provide healthy meals, social
connection, and educational presentations for older adults. Supported by SALC-CRC, the
program will address food insecurity, reduce social isolation, and improve access to
information and community resources.
Township of Laurentian Valley — $25,000
The Festival Hall Seniors Theatre Program will reduce social isolation and foster connection
through weekly theatre workshops where older adults develop skills, share stories, and create
performances inspired by life in the Ottawa Valley. The program provides an accessible,
supportive space for seniors to express themselves and celebrate their voices and
experiences
.
Hospice Renfrew Inc. — $25,000
The Volunteer Visiting Program provides compassionate, non-medical support to individuals
with life-limiting illnesses who wish to remain at home. Trained volunteers offer
companionship, emotional support, and practical assistance, helping reduce loneliness,
support caregivers, and promote dignity, comfort, and connection during the palliative journey.
Town of Deep River — $25,000
This project will provide bus trips, dances, and live entertainment for seniors and Veterans to
reduce social isolation and promote community connection. Supported by local partners, it will
create safe, inclusive opportunities for social participation, active living, and lasting community
engagement.
Town of Petawawa — $14,760
The Petawawa 55+ Active Aging Initiative will support older adults and senior Veterans through
wellness workshops, recreation, social activities, peer support, and technology training. The
program promotes connection, lifelong learning, and healthy aging through inclusive
community partnerships.
What Local Leaders Are Saying
“We are grateful to MPP Billy Denault and the Province of Ontario for this investment in
Greater Madawaska’s seniors. Building on the successful launch of our Seniors Active Living
Centre, this funding will allow us to introduce new programs like senior swimming, Coffee &
Cards, and beginner pickleball lessons—creating more opportunities for older adults to stay
active, connected, and healthy close to home. We look forward to seeing these programs
continue to enrich the lives of seniors across our community.”
— Rob Weir, Mayor, Township of Greater Madawaska
On behalf of the Township of South Algonquin, I would like to sincerely thank MPP, Billy
Denault and the Government of Ontario for the recent Seniiors Grant in the amount of $23,800.
The Seniors Connection series of dinners will provide opportunities for our Seniors to come
together, build relationships, reduce social isolation and strengthen the sense of community
that makes South Algonquin such a special place to live., work and play. We are grateful for
this investment in our community and look forward to the positive impact this grant will have for
our seniors throughout South Algonquin.”
— Ethel LaValley, Mayor of township of South Algonquin
“This is wonderful news to receive this grant and to bring and create senior theatre
opportunities to our Festival Hall stage, this encourages our communities to stay active and
socially connected which is great for their well-being. We have also seen a great interest for
this type of programming at festival Hall, and we thank everyone for promoting our community
theatre.”
— Murray Rutz, Councilor/Chair of the Festival Hall Consortium and Municipal Representative,
Town of Petawawa
“The Township of Laurentian Valley is thrilled to partner and be a part of bringing new and
dynamic seniors theatre programming to our community and to Festival Hall @Equinoxe. On
behalf of the Township of Laurentian Valley, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude and
appreciation to the Province of Ontario and the Ministry of Seniors and Accessibility for their
generous support of this new and exciting program! We can’t wait to begin working with our
partners, The City of Pembroke and Towns of Petawawa and Festival Hall management under
Kitchissippi Productions to help bring this new program and new theatre opportunities to life to
help support seniors and theatrical arts in our region!”
— Steve Bennett, Mayor, Township of Laurentian Valley
“The Town of Petawawa would like to express its gratitude to the Ministry of Seniors and
Accessibility and the Province of Ontario for selecting Festival Hall @Equinoxe as a recipient
of $25 000 from the Seniors Community Grant Program. The Festival Hall Seniors Theatre
Program is a community-based theatre initiative designed to reduce social isolation and foster
connection among older adults through creative expression. The program will begin by
teaching participants basic theatre skills, after which they will be encouraged to write, design
and eventually perform a theatrical representation of their own creation to family/friends under
the guidance of the Program Coordinator. The project will achieve increased social
connection, improved confidence, and enhanced mental well-being as seniors learn new skills
in storytelling, voice, movement, and performance while contributing their lived experiences
and personal stories. By focusing on stories of life in the Ottawa Valley, the program will help
preserve local history, strengthen cultural identity, and ensure seniors’ voices are heard and
valued. A huge thanks to the Festival Hall Board @Equinoxe of Directors and Kitchissippi
Productions for their continued excellence in innovation and leadership, unique programs such
as this reinforce Festival Hall’s role as a community gathering place where everyone belongs!
Thanks again to the Province of Ontario for their generosity and for ensuring our local seniors
are active and engaged in the community.”
— Gary Serviss, Mayor, Town of Petawawa
“I am exceptionally proud that under the new leadership of Dorian Pearce and Kitchissippi
Productions, we are now offering theatre programming at the Hall. Thanks to this generous
grant from the Province of Ontario, our new seniors theatre program will be a wonderful
addition to our existing youth programs that started last year and will hopefully lead to a whole
new crop of local actors and actresses that will take the stage for many years to come!”
— Ian Kuehl, Councilor/ Festival Hall Consortium Representative, City of Pembroke
“This investment in a Seniors Theatre Program will provide older adults with a unique
opportunity to connect, create, and thrive. By removing financial barriers and offering a
supportive environment where seniors can develop theatre skills and share their personal
stories. Every person has a story worth telling, and our seniors hold a lifetime of experiences
that deserve to be shared. This program will provide a space where those stories can be
transformed into creative expression, building confidence, friendships, and a sense of purpose
along the way. We are thrilled to support a program that brings people together, honours local
history, and showcases the incredible talent and wisdom of older adults in our community. We
look forward to seeing these powerful stories come to life on stage and to celebrating the
lasting impact this program will have on participants and the wider Ottawa Valley community.”
— Betty King, Councilor/ Festival Hall Consortium Representative, Township of Laurentian
Valley
“This investment will allow Hospice Renfrew to launch our new Heart at Home program,
providing grief and bereavement support to seniors in the comfort of their own homes. Through
compassionate one-to-one support, we hope to reduce isolation, foster meaningful
connections, and ensure that no one has to navigate grief alone. We are sincerely grateful to
MPP Billy Denault and the Government of Ontario for investing in the well-being of seniors
across Renfrew County. This funding will help us bring compassionate care beyond our walls
and into the homes of those who need it most.”
— Marjorie Joly, Executive Director, Hospice Renfrew
“The Town of Deep River is beyond excited to be chosen as a recipient of the 2026-27 Ministry
for Seniors and Accessibility – Seniors Community Grant Program!
This funding will enable the Town to implement a series of programs and activities to engage
local Canadian veterans and seniors in staying active, informed and connected to their
community – connection is so important to prevent the health impacts of social isolation. We
are grateful to the partnership of the Deep River Legion, a trusted local organization, who will
help us host many events in a familiar and comfortable environment. Engaging in enjoyable
recreation, culture, social and life-long learning opportunities are great ways to break down the
barriers of social isolation. We thank the Ministry and encourage area residents to take part in
many of the opportunities which this grant will provide.”
— Sue D’Eon, Mayor, Town of Deep River
“The Town of Petawawa would like to express its gratitude to the Ministry of Seniors and
Accessibility and the Province of Ontario for selecting the Petawawa Senior Active Living
Centre as a recipient of $14 760 from the Seniors Community Grant Program. The Petawawa
55+ Active Aging Initiative aims to enhance social connection, wellness and lifelong learning
for older adults while expanding outreach to senior veterans. The program includes senior-
focused health and wellness workshops, active recreation, social gatherings, peer support
groups and technology workshops to build digital confidence and connectivity. Partnerships
with local veteran, health and community organizations strengthen impact and ensure
inclusive, accessible opportunities that support healthy, engaged aging for all participants.
Thanks again to the Province of Ontario for their generosity and for ensuring our local seniors
are active and engaged in the community”
— Gary Serviss, Mayor, Town of Petawawa
The Ontario government is investing up to $7 million for more than 320 Seniors Community
Grants helping seniors stay fit, active, healthy and socially connected, close to home and in
their communities.
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. The
Seniors Community Grants is a unique Ontario government grant designed to reduce social
isolation, fight ageism and create positive connections.
Since 2018, Ontario has invested more than $40 million dollars in over 2,100 Seniors
Community Grants.
Media Contact
For additional information, please contact:
Krystal Moreau, Constituency Assistant
Office of Billy Denault, MPP
613-735-6627
krystal.moreau@pc.ola.org