News

Ontario Investing in Upgrades to Community Agencies

Upkeep and renovations ensuring North Bay continues to have safe access to services

NORTH BAY – MPP Fedeli has announced an investment of $434,300 to support necessary building repairs and renovations to two community agencies that deliver critical social and community programs. The funding will help ensure those buildings continue to be accessible and in good working order so agencies can continue to focus on providing vital services for people with developmental disabilities, victims of domestic violence and children with special needs and mental health needs.

“Community agencies play a key role in delivering services to those who need them, and I am proud that we are making the necessary investments to enable their important work,” said Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing. “By funding these repairs, we are taking the pressure off service providers so they can focus on supporting the people of city/region who rely on them.”

“This is such exciting news. The roof replacement will significantly assist the organization in moving forward with our “one site project”. The business case which is being finalized will house all programs and services. We look forward to improving the experience for those we serve,” said Gisèle Hébert, Executive Director of the Children’s Aid Society of the District of Nipissing and Parry Sound.

The following community agencies are receiving funding:

• $430,600 for the Children’s Aid Society of the District of Nipissing Parry Sound to replace their roof and to purchase a new generator
• $3,700 for the Canadian Hearing Services in North Bay to improve the accessibility in their washrooms. 

Through the annual Partner Facility Renewal program, the Ontario government is investing a total of $18.5 million in 198 community agencies. Agencies will use the funding for repairs and upgrades to roofing, windows, security systems, and fire alarms, electrical, mechanical, HVAC, and plumbing systems.

QUICK FACTS

• Community agencies deliver vital programs related to anti-human trafficking, autism, child welfare, children’s mental health, children’s treatment centres, development services, child development, interpreter and intervenor, Indigenous health and wellness, violence against women and youth justice services.
• There are more than 70,000 adults with a developmental disability in Ontario and about 19,000 will receive residential supports in communities across the province in 2021-22.
• In 2019-20, more than 110,000 children and youth received rehabilitation services (occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech-language pathology) through Children’s Treatment Centres in community-based settings.
• Ontario’s emergency women’s shelters serve more than 15,000 women and children yearly.
• In 2019-20, more than 104,000 families across Ontario were served by 50 children’s aid societies, including 12 Indigenous societies and three faith-based societies.