TORONTO — The Ontario government is investing more than $2 million in community accessibility upgrades across the province, funding over 40 projects aimed at helping seniors and people with disabilities more fully participate in public life.
The funding, delivered through the province’s new Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone (EASE) Grant, will support municipalities, not-for-profit organizations and Indigenous governing bodies in improving physical access to community facilities and outdoor spaces. The initiative is part of the government’s broader plan to strengthen communities and respond to the needs of Ontario’s growing and aging population.
“We are creating communities where everyone can participate fully,” said Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. “Through the EASE Grant, our government is supporting innovative and impactful projects that will help create a more inclusive province for people in every corner of our province.”
The EASE Grant provides up to $60,000 per project to address barriers that limit access for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Eligible upgrades include installing ramps and elevators, improving building entrances, leveling sidewalks and parking areas, and adding accessible washrooms and signage.
The provincial government says the improvements are intended to help residents remain active and connected in their communities, while also supporting safer and more inclusive public infrastructure.
Among the funded projects, the Rideau Valley Conservation Foundation will receive up to $58,000 to remove physical barriers at Baxter Conservation Area. The upgrades are expected to make the natural space more accessible to seniors, people with disabilities and families.
In the Niagara Region, the Thorold Community Activities Group will receive up to $29,000 to improve accessibility at its community centre. The project will include sidewalk and parking upgrades as well as improved signage, helping residents more easily access recreation and food security programs.
Eastern Ontario’s Township of Champlain will receive as much as $50,000 to enhance accessibility at L’Orignal Beach. Planned improvements include shaded seating, pathways and signage designed to support barrier-free recreation.
Meanwhile, the Town of Deep River will receive the maximum grant amount of $60,000 to install an elevator at the Deep River Arena. The addition will provide improved access to the facility’s upper level, allowing more seniors and people with mobility challenges to take part in community programs and events.
The province says such projects play an important role in enabling residents to remain socially engaged, which is closely tied to health and well-being outcomes.
The accessibility funding comes alongside broader provincial spending on seniors’ programs. Since 2018, Ontario says it has invested more than $128 million in Seniors Active Living Centre (SALC) programs, which now operate at over 400 locations provincewide. The centres offer programs focused on social engagement, physical activity and community involvement.
Government officials say the expansion has allowed thousands more seniors to access programs in their local communities.
Ontario, like much of Canada, is experiencing significant demographic shifts as its population ages. According to provincial data, seniors represent one of the fastest-growing age groups, increasing demand for accessible infrastructure, health supports and community services.
The government says accessibility improvements funded through the EASE Grant are intended to help address those pressures by making community spaces usable for residents of all abilities.
Projects funded through the program are led by local organizations and governments, which identify accessibility gaps and apply for provincial support.
By targeting upgrades in smaller municipalities and community organizations, the province says the program helps ensure accessibility improvements reach residents across Ontario, including in rural and underserved areas.
Officials say the initiative reflects a broader policy focus on inclusion and aging-in-place strategies, allowing seniors to remain active participants in their communities for longer.
The government has not yet announced when applications will open for the next round of EASE Grant funding.