PRESS  RELEASE

(click here for PDF version)

Ontario Supporting Upgrades and Repairs at 

Guelph & Wellington County Agencies

Improving Safety and Accessibility for Ontario’s Most Vulnerable People

July 11, 2017

Ontario is investing in repairs, renovations, upgrades and fire safety at Guelph and Wellington County agencies to provide better, more secure and accessible facilities for the people who use their services.

These investments include:

• Family Counselling & Support Services for Guelph-Wellington will receive $90,000 towards building out the current facility to support program needs; and
• Community Living Guelph Wellington will receive $38,000 to install phase II of the sprinkler system and $5,200 towards repairing the driveway.

This investment is part of Ontario’s Partner Facility Renewal program, which helps local agencies repair and renovate their facilities to better serve people in the community. This support is also helping agencies ensure that their buildings meet improvements to Ontario’s Fire Code, in order to keep residents safe.

Ontario is making the largest infrastructure investment in hospitals, schools, public transit, roads and bridges in the province’s history. To learn more about what’s happening in your community, go to Ontario.ca/BuildON.

Investing in community agencies that help those most in need is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.

QUOTES

“These agencies provide critical services to the most vulnerable people in our community. These investments will help the agencies make important safety upgrades and ensures that they are able to continue to provide people with safe, accessible places to go when they need support.”

— Liz Sandals, MPP for Guelph

“Community and developmental service agencies play an invaluable role in providing critical services to many people across Ontario. By investing in repairs, renovations, upgrades and fire safety, we are ensuring that individuals that require services at these vital agencies have access to improved facilities and that staff who work tirelessly assisting those who require supports can focus on what they do best: helping people in our communities.”

— Dr. Helena Jaczek, Minister of Community and Social Services

“Safety measures like upgraded fire alarm systems, fire doors, and sprinkler systems reduce the impact of fire and help save lives. Buildings and facilities across the province that provide community services will benefit from enhanced fire safety measures – further protecting Ontario’s most vulnerable and giving peace of mind to their loved ones.”

— Marie-France Lalonde, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services

QUICK FACTS

• Partner Facility Renewal minor capital funding is provided annually to help social service agencies repair, renovate or upgrade their facilities. Agencies receiving this funding include developmental services, community services and Violence Against Women agencies.
• In 2017/18, under the Partner Facility Renewal program, Ontario is investing approximately $16 million in more than 150 community service agencies for approximately 850 projects across Ontario. Approved projects include upgrading accessible washrooms and kitchens; replacing windows and doors; replacing and repairing roofs, furnace and air conditioner replacement; expansion of program space and foundation repair.
• The province is also investing $6.5 million in 2017-18 in fire safety in more than 90 facilities from over 30 community service agencies across the province. Approved projects include fire alarm system upgrades, installation of fire doors and separations and sprinkler system installations.
• Ontario is the first province to make sprinklers mandatory in residential occupancy facilities servicing clients with cognitive and physical limitations and are incapable of evacuating the occupancy without assistance.
• An amendment to the Fire Code that took effect on January 1, 2014 introduced new retrofit requirements requiring facility modifications.

LEARN MORE

• Learn how Ontario is improving services for people with a developmental disability.
• Read about the Fire Code.
• About social services
• Read about Ontario’s Violence Against Women programs and services.
• Find out about Ontario’s Aboriginal Healing and Wellness Strategy.
• Learn how Ontario is improving services for people with a developmental disability.

For more information, contact: Jenny Waterston, Office of Liz Sandals, MPP (519) 836-4190

The work that our Direct Support Professionals do at CLGW is challenging, rewarding and incredibly important to the people we support and their families. We truly appreciate the dedication, service, humor and skill of our Direct Support Professionals!

You each make a real difference in the lives of the people we support. You have a career that is often physically and emotionally demanding; and for all that you do we thank you!