Dozens of Barrie seniors were full of energy at the 55+ Active Living Fair with a special guest in attendance — Ontario’s Minister for Seniors and Accessibility Raymond Cho.
Held at the Allandale Recreation Centre, the event featured Minister Cho as a guest speaker, alongside Barrie–Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin, Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall, and Ward 6 Coun. Nigussie Nigussie.
The 55+ Active Living Fair showcased local vendors and presentations from agencies offering products and services tailored to residents aged 55 and older. The event focused on helping older adults stay fit, healthy, and socially connected. A free barbecue and refreshments were also provided.
Cho, who has served as Minister for Seniors and Accessibility since June 2018 — and is a senior himself — praised Ontario’s older population as the generation that helped build the province.
“When we were young, we were the ones who built this beautiful province of Ontario in the best country in the world — Canada,” he said.
Cho said the Ontario government is doubling its investment in the Seniors Community Grant Program, increasing funding from $3 million to $6 million. The program supports hundreds of non-profit organizations across the province. He said the funding boost is aimed at tackling senior isolation.
“Premier Doug Ford really cares about seniors, and that’s why we’re increasing grants so seniors can stay away from social isolation — social isolation is enemy number one,” he said.
Nuttall said the city remains committed to improving accessibility for seniors.
“We continue to look at ways to increase accessibility in the city — not just on sidewalks or in buildings, but in all areas where we can do more,” he said.
He highlighted Barrie Transit incentives as one example: seniors ride for free on Tuesdays and Thursdays and enjoy discounted fares on other days.
Later in the day, Cho met with Deputy Mayor Robert Thomson at the Lampman Lane Community Centre in Barrie’s northwest end, where the possibility of establishing a new 55+ centre is currently being explored.
