Rural Economic Development (RED) Program

For Immediate Release
June 25, 2007

McGuinty Government Supports Seniors in West Perth

MITCHELL — The McGuinty government is reducing wait times for seniors to receive accommodations in West Perth by investing in Ritz Lutheran Villa, a continuing care retirement community, John Wilkinson, MPP for Perth–Middlesex announced today, on behalf of Leona Dombrowsky, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

“I am so pleased that our government is investing in Ritz Lutheran Villa,” said Wilkinson. “Not only does this help to better meet the needs of residents, this grant will also provide an opportunity for other seniors to live independently while being a part of the Ritz family. I am proud to have supported this great initiative.”

The province will contribute $300,000 to help the Ritz Lutheran Villa and the Municipality of West Perth redevelop the central core of the seniors’ community centre, also known as ‘The Hub.’ The redeveloped Hub will provide a variety of accommodation options that will allow seniors to live independently within the campus community.

“We are pleased with the support of the provincial government,” said Brent Nafziger, chief executive office/ administrator of the Ritz Lutheran Villa. “Redeveloping our facility’s central core amenity space will allow us to improve our services and programs for our residents and the community at large. We are committed to giving back to seniors.”

“Renovating and expanding the facility will help reduce the waiting list for independent living accommodation for seniors, and will also help recruit health professionals to our area,” said John Van Bakel, mayor of Municipality of West Perth. “Not only will this project create more opportunities for our seniors, but it will also create jobs.”

This is just one more example of how, working together, Ontarians have achieved results for seniors. Other examples include:

• Consulting with Ontarians in 12 cities across the province about strengthening standards of care in Ontario’s retirement homes.
• Investing an additional $157 million in new funding for Long-Term Care (LTC) Homes this year, bringing the annual LTC Homes program budget to $2.84 billion.
• Increasing the underlying property tax credit amount for seniors from $500 to $625 in 2004 — an increase of 25 per cent — and increased the income threshold for senior couples so they can keep more of their credit in 2005 and 2006. Another increase to the threshold for senior couples is proposed for 2007.

Today’s investment was made through the Rural Economic Development (RED) Program, which invests in community-based projects that support sustainable rural economies in three priority areas: improved access to health care services, revitalized communities and downtowns, and enhanced skills training.

Through the RED Program, the province has invested $31.2 million in 108 projects, representing a total of investment of $187.6 million in rural Ontario, since 2003. The Ontario government and its partners are building strong rural communities that work better for the people who live in them.

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