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Queen’s Park – The McGuinty government is providing residents in Sault Ste. Marie with the opportunity to get healthy and stay healthy through new programs being delivered by local organizations with a $45,710 investment through the province’s Healthy Communities Fund David Orazietti, MPP announced today.

“By investing in organizations to expand recreational opportunities for children and the disabled we are helping to improve physical fitness and foster important community connections,” said Orazietti. “Local health promotion organizations best understand the needs of our city and will now have more resources to build a stronger, healthier Sault Ste. Marie.”

Ontario’s support will help residents in Sault Ste. Marie gain access to the following programs:

$15,284 for the Sault Family YMCA to hire a project coordinator to work with the Algoma District and Huron Superior Catholic District School Boards to identify the most appropriate schools to be used as community hubs and to develop a plan for delivering after-school programs

$30,426 for the Barrier Free in Algoma Association to purchase equipment and train volunteers to develop and deliver an adapted waterskiing and adapted downhill skiing program for persons with disabilities;

“We are very happy to receive this funding. We provided a pilot project last year and now we can build on that success and make our programs grow by offering the sport of adapted alpine skiing and adapted waterskiing to even more people with disabilities,” said Diane Morrell, Barrier Free in Algoma Association partner.

The province’s Healthy Communities Fund (HCF) provides support to not-for-profit organizations, municipalities, public health units, aboriginal and first nations organizations who form partnerships to deliver projects focusing on at least two factors that improve health. These may include: physical activity, sport and recreation, healthy eating, tobacco free living, injury prevention and mental health promotion.

“The support that we are receiving will help us develop a plan that will determine how we can provide fun and engaging programs and services for children and youth, in their own neighbourhoods, during times when schools are not in session," said Martin Wyant, CEO of the Sault Family YMCA. "We are really pleased to have received this support from the Ministry of Health Promotion and are proud to be working in partnership with the Algoma District School Board and the Huron Superior Catholic District School Board to improve services for kids in our community”.

“The McGuinty government is committed to improving the overall well-being of individuals and their broader communities. Our Healthy Communities Fund supports collaborative projects that will help Ontarians enhance and maintain their most valuable asset – their health,” said Margarett Best, Minister of Health Promotion

Constituency Office: 726 Queen St. E., Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2A9 Tel: 705-949-6959 Fax: 705-946-6269

Queen’s Park: Suite 6522, 6^th Floor, Whitney Block, 99 Wellesley Street West, Toronto ON M7A 1W3