Helping Communities Access Integrated Public Services

Ministry of Infrastructure

Ontario Launches New Program to Support Community Hub Development

Toronto, ON – June 29, 2017

Ontario has launched a new program that will make it easier for community partners to offer health, social, cultural, recreational and other services for local residents in one spot.

Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Infrastructure, and Karen Pitre, Special Advisor on Community Hubs, made the announcement at St. James Town Community Corner in Toronto.

Through this program, the province will help hold properties, such as schools, hospitals or provincial buildings that are no longer in use or have been deemed surplus, for up to 18 months. This will give municipalities, organizations and Indigenous communities crucially needed time to find partners, complete a business plan and secure the right funding to redevelop the property into a community hub.

Community partners can apply for this program online starting July 4, 2017 until October 16, 2017.

Supporting vibrant and strong communities is part of our plan to create jobs, grow our economy and help people in their everyday lives.

Quotes:
” The province’s role is to help make it easier for communities to come together and offer services in an integrated and coordinated way, and to make the best use of public space. Our new initiative gives local communities the opportunity they need to use public properties, and build their vibrant and successful hubs.”