Published plans and annual reports 2023–2024: Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility

Ministry overview

Ministry’s vision

The Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility supports the health and well-being of people with disabilities and older Ontarians, and strives to improve their quality of life by removing and preventing accessibility barriers and changing perceptions and promoting the benefits of an inclusive, age-diverse, and accessible Ontario where everyone is respected and able to participate. The ministry works across government with communities, businesses and other partners to deliver programs and services to create social and economic environments that: i) support older Ontarians in staying safe, healthy, active, independent, and engaged in their communities, and ii) create conditions to remove accessibility barriers so that people with disabilities can live independently and fully participate in their respective communities and economy using their full potential. The ministry also oversees and/or administers the Seniors Active Living Centres Act, 2017, the Retirement Homes Act, 2010, the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and the Senior Volunteer Appreciation Week Act, 2021.

To achieve its vision, the ministry:

• Collaborates across government and with key partners like municipalities, provincial and community organizations to inform policies and develop and fund programs to support greater access, independence, social connection, and active living for older adults/seniors and people with disabilities.
• Helps older adults/seniors stay engaged, healthy and safe, including through the prevention of elder abuse and by supporting the safety of retirement home residents.
• Ensures that people with disabilities with diverse lived experience and expertise are represented and are engaged in ministry activities and legislative bodies such as the Accessibility Standards Advisory Council, and Standards Development Committees.
• Works with employers to champion the business case and economic benefits of employing seniors and people with disabilities.
• Develops and leverages key partnerships with disability and sector organizations and businesses to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities and promote removal of barriers to access.
• Brings an accessibility and aging population lens to government policies, programs, services and initiatives.
• Supports the development of educational tools and resources.
• Administers and oversees development, implementation, and enforcement of accessibility laws as part of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (referred to as AODA throughout the rest of this document).
• Oversees and/or administers the Seniors Active Living Centres Act, 2017 (SALCA), the Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001 (ODA) and the Senior Volunteer Appreciation Week Act, 2021.
• Oversees the administration of the Retirement Homes Act, 2010 (RHA).
• Works with Federal/Provincial/Territorial partners and participates in policy forums and tables to discuss common challenges, share best practices, and identify opportunities for collaboration.

Ministry programs

The ministry supports, develops, and delivers policies and public services to improve the quality of life for older adults/seniors and people with disabilities. It helps older Ontarians lead safe, engaged, active, and healthy lives and improves accessibility and employment for people with disabilities in all areas. Acting as an agent for positive change, the ministry plays a leadership role in advising on the development of government policies and programs that impact seniors and people with disabilities using accessibility and inclusion perspectives.

The ministry continues to engage stakeholders to ensure programming reflects the needs, clients served and intended outcomes of each program.

The ministry is committed to working towards improving access to services for seniors and providing the services they need, as well as reducing/removing barriers for people with disabilities. The ministry also works to improve access to information about programs and services available to seniors and individuals with disabilities by supporting the development of educational resources and facilitating information-exchange with key partners and Ontarians.

Ministry programs aim to improve these outcomes and are measured in a number of ministry-level key performance indicators:

• Number of program participants served by MSAA programs and funding
• Number of seminars, webinars, workshops, and training sessions provided to older adults, caregivers, service providers and other attendees
• Percentage of compliance audits that are closed without escalation to an inspector
• The percentage of obligated organizations that are in compliance with 4 foundational requirements (policies, plans, feedback and training) at the start of the audit (no further action needed)

The ministry is organized into two divisions that play the following key roles:

Policy, Program, and Strategic Partnerships

• Develops policy, programs, and strategic partnerships to help older Ontarians and people with disabilities stay independent, active, safe, and socially connected.
• Conducts research and analysis related to seniors and people with disabilities in collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Collaborates with other ministries to ensure seniors and accessibility considerations are built into government-wide policies and programs.
• Leads policy and program development and implementation to respond to the impacts infectious diseases in retirement homes through collaboration with other ministries, the RHRA and the sector.
• Collaborates with stakeholders including accessibility and seniors’ organizations, employers, partner ministries, and the broader public sector to support evidence-based, informed policy approaches and to undertake joint initiatives.
• Leads policy and regulatory development related to the RHA and oversees the RHRA and auditor general and independent reviews of the RHRA, with the aim to ensure that retirement home residents are safe, respected, and can make informed choices about their care options.
• Leads policy development related to the SALCA and oversees the design, implementation, and management of grants under the Seniors Active Living Centres Program.
• Supports hundreds of projects that help promote the engagement and inclusion of seniors and people with disabilities through the design, implementation, and management of the Seniors Community Grant, EnAbling Change Program and the Inclusive Community Grants Programs.
• Reviews and evaluates key performance indicators, goals, outcomes, and achievements for ministry funded grants and programs.
• Convenes the Seniors Liaison Committee and consults with partner ministries, federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions, and the public to develop user-centred evidence-based policies and programs.
• Oversees a number of strategic Transfer Payment Agreements with various stakeholders to deliver programs that support older adults and people with disabilities.
• Conducts research and analysis related to seniors and people with disabilities in collaboration with internal and external partners.
• Through the 2023 provincial budget, MSAA received an additional $1.5 million in funding for the Seniors Community Grant program and approximately $1.0 million over three years in additional funding for the Seniors Safety Line.

Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities

• Leads the planning, delivery and oversight of all activities undertaken by the Minister’s statutory advisory bodies including the Accessibility Standards Advisory Council, Standards Development Committees, and Legislative Reviewers.
• Leads all legislative and regulatory policy activities on the development and implementation of the AODA, new accessibility standards and the review of existing standards in the O. Reg. 191/11: Integrated Accessibility Standards.
• Helps ensure public, private, and not-for-profit sector organizations understand and comply with the provincial accessibility standards by providing compliance assistance, audit, and enforcement activities in alignment with the government's overall compliance objectives.
• Educates, partners with, and builds awareness among businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and the broader public sector about accessibility laws, and ensures organizations and communities understand and have the information, tools, templates and other resources and supports required to comply with the AODA and to understand, advance and champion accessibility.
• Supports programs that educate about accessibility and support regulatory compliance.
• Supports programs that recognize individual Ontarians and organizations in Ontario that have excelled in improving and championing accessibility for people with disabilities.
• Oversees compliance, which includes administering the accessibility compliance report, conducting audits and outreach and education activities to help organizations understand and comply with the AODA.
• Carries out Federal/Provincial/Territorial work including:
  • Leading the development of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the federal agency Accessibility Standards Canada (ASC) and the ongoing coordination of annexes to the MOU outlining joint collaboration on a series of accessibility research projects and initiatives.
  • Supporting Ontario’s participation in the federal/provincial meetings of Open Forum on Accessibility to share information, research and best practices on accessibility legislation and regulation.
  • Supporting Ontario’s participation in the Pan-Canadian Forum on Accessibility Standards aimed at strengthening provinces and territories’ collective efforts in identifying and removing barriers for people with disabilities.

2023–24 Strategic plan

The ministry works to support and deliver on the government’s plan for building a strong economy, addressing Ontario’s labour shortage, building more highways, hospitals and long-term care homes, and keeping costs down for seniors, people with disabilities, families and workers. In 2023–24, the ministry will continue to work towards improving the lives of older adults and people with disabilities across Ontario to support them to live active, healthy, safe and socially connected lives.

The ministry will achieve this by focusing on key priorities such as:

• Fostering an inclusive and accessible Ontario.
• Supporting quality of life and well-being of seniors and people with disabilities.
• Promoting modern regulation.
• Achieving organizational and operational excellence including user centric experience.

The ministry is committed to working towards improving access to services for seniors and providing the services they need, as well as reducing/removing barriers for people with disabilities.

In 2023–24, the ministry will focus on:

• Working with partners across government to support the development and expansion of programs and policies to improve the quality of life for older Ontarians including:
  • Working with the Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care to improve care services, such as dental, palliative, and home and community care, so that older Ontarians can age and live at home with access to care.
  • Expanding Seniors Active Living Centre Programs by 15 new programs so that more older Ontarians, particularly those that are isolated, have opportunities to stay active and engaged in their community.
  • Investing an additional $1.5 million in the Seniors Community Grant Program to provide more local opportunities for older adults to stay active and engaged, particularly those that support specific populations.
  • Contributing approximately $1.0 million over three years to provide enhanced funding for the Seniors Safety Line to service increased call volumes.
  • Launching of the Seniors Impact Tool to support the Ontario Public Service to develop policies and programs that reflect the needs and interests of the aging population.
• Reviewing the 4th legislative review of the Accessible for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 and other inputs such as Standards Development Committee recommendations to develop a cross-government plan of action for a more inclusive Ontario for people with disabilities with realistic and impactful actions in key areas of daily living.
• Providing over $15 million to support more than 1,200 individuals and families each year in making their homes safer and more accessible. Eligible individuals may receive a grant of up to $15,000 to modify their home and/or vehicle so they can live safely and comfortably in their homes, avoid job loss and participate in their communities.
• Working with Ministry of Infrastructure to lead work throughout 2023 that will focus on reviewing and building better practices into existing guidelines and policies to effectively engage with people with disabilities through government infrastructure projects.
• Expected outcomes include:
  • Retirement home residents and staff are kept informed, safe and healthy.
  • Increased access to user-friendly information to ensure older Ontarians can access more services and programs they need.
  • More low-income people and families with accessibility needs will have access to supports to modify their home or vehicle in order to continue living safely in their homes, participate in their community, and help adults avoid job loss.
  • More older adults and persons with disabilities have opportunities to participate in community programs to stay active, connected and engaged, reducing social isolation and leading to wellness and better health.
  • Older Ontarians and people with disabilities are less at risk for abuse and fraud, helping protect their rights and dignity.
  • More older adults and people with disabilities are employed and volunteering, helping them contribute to the economy.
  • Barriers faced by people with disabilities and older Ontarians are prevented and removed to the extent possible in all areas of daily life - reducing social and economic isolation as well as leading to overall improved health.

Detailed financial information

Combined operating and capital summary by vote

For additional financial information, see:

• Expenditure Estimates
• Public Accounts of Ontario: past editions
• 2023 Ontario Budget: Building a Strong Ontario

Agencies, boards and commissions (ABCs)

Accessibility Standards Advisory Council

The statutory Accessibility Standards Advisory Council is responsible for providing strategic advice to the Minister responsible for the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 on the process and progress on accessibility standards, matters related to the implementation of this legislation and other accessibility matters.

Regulatory authority

Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority

The ministry is responsible for policy and regulatory development related to the Retirement Homes Act, 2010 (RHA) and for managing the government’s accountability relationship with the Retirement Homes Regulatory Authority (RHRA). The RHRA is a self-funded independent regulatory body established under the RHA to administer and enforce the RHA and its regulations on behalf of the government. The RHA provides a framework for the regulation of retirement homes in Ontario and establishes a requirement for a memorandum of understanding between the Minister and the RHRA setting out the requirements related to the governance of the RHRA, the requirements with which the RHRA shall comply with its administration of the RHA and in carrying out its other objects and set out the financial terms of the administration of the RHA.

The RHRA is responsible for licensing retirement homes; educating licensees, consumers and the public about the RHA; and conducting inspections, investigations and enforcement activities. It also handles consumer complaints about retirement homes, provides information about retirement homes, including a public register of retirement homes in Ontario.

Post-pandemic the RHRA continues to play an important role in communicating with retirement homes and supporting them by working with the ministry to provide necessary resources and guidelines on infection prevention and control based on advice from the Chief Medical Officer of Health. The RHRA also monitors homes in infectious disease outbreak and provides regular outbreak reports to the ministry.

The Office of the Auditor General of Ontario completed a Value for Money Audit on the RHRA in 2020 with recommendations to enhance the effectiveness of the RHRA’s mandated activities and strengthen the ministry’s oversight role. The RHRA and ministry have implemented many of the 26 recommendations and will continue to work together on the implementation of the remaining audit recommendations.

Legislation

The ministry administers the following legislation:

• Seniors Active Living Centres Act, 2017
• Retirement Homes Act, 2010
• Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005
• Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2001
• Senior Volunteer Appreciation Week Act, 2021

Ministry organization chart

April 2023

• Minister for Seniors and Accessibility — Raymond Sung Joon Cho
  • Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister for Seniors and Accessibility — Daisy Wai
  • Deputy Minister — Martha Greenberg
    • Executive Advisor — Letitia Nolasque
    • ADM, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities — Meenu Sikand
      • Director, AODA Policy and Standards — Ebadur Rahman
      • Director, AODA Compliance Assurance — Rory Burke
    • ADM, Seniors and Accessibility Policy, Programs and Strategic Partnerships — Jacqueline Cureton
      • Director, Planning and Programs — Kathleen Henschel
      • Director, Policy and Partnerships — Sarah Lambert (A)
      • Director, Retirement Homes — Marsha Pinto (A)
    • ADM/CAO, Regional and Corporate Services^[Z] — Melody Robinson
      • Director, Human Resources ^[Y] — Jennifer Stewart ^[X]
      • Director, Corporate Finance — Nadia Eid ^[X]
      • Director, Regional Services — Marie Campbell ^[X]
      • Director, Strategic Policy Development and Planning — Kristina Lauesen ^[X]
      • Director, Business Services Integration — Michael Van Wyk ^[X]
    • Director, Communications ^[W] — Peter Spadoni
    • Director, Legal Branch ^[V] — Cheryl Carson (A)
    • Chief Information Officer, Government Services Integration Cluster^[U] — Manish Agarwal

• Note: "(A)" denotes acting.
• [Z] Also provides services to Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport.
• [Y] Also report to ADM, HR Service Delivery, Ministry of Government and Consumer Services
• [X] Also provides services to the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and the Ministry of Francophone Affairs
• [W] Also reports to DM, Ministry of Long-Term Care.
• [V] Also reports to DM, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and ADAG, Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.
• [U] Also reports to Corporate Chief Information and Information Technology Officer, Ministry of Government and Consumer Services.

Annual report

The ministry supported the government’s plan to build a future with a better quality of life and a higher standard of living. The ministry contributed to a better quality of life by continuing work on creating an inclusive, barrier-free Ontario, where seniors and people with disabilities are independent, safe, active, and socially connected. It worked on making Ontario more accessible for everyone as well as promoting the benefits of age-diverse, accessible workplaces and communities where everyone is respected and able to participate and enjoy the future they deserve.

The ministry is committed to working towards improving access to services for seniors and providing the services they need, as well as reducing/removing barriers for people with disabilities. The ministry uses several key performance indicators to measure ministry priorities.

Below are results the ministry achieved in 2022–23:

• Provided up to $0.815 million for 8 projects through the 2022–23 EnAbling Change Program to provide funding to not-for-profits and organizations across a range of sectors for projects that show the value and benefits of accessibility through the development of tools and educational resources that make Ontario open to people of all abilities. Projects included those that developed employment strategies to promote increased employment rates for people with disabilities; responded to Standards Development Committee Recommendations; and increased awareness of reporting requirements and compliance with the AODA.
• Contributed more than $740,000 through the Inclusive Community Grants Program to fund 17 projects across the province that promote innovative technologies and support infrastructure upgrades to help people with disabilities and seniors stay safe and engaged in their neighbourhoods, improve accessibility as well as respond to the unique needs of Indigenous communities.
• Invested more than $5.8 million through the Seniors Community Grants Program to support 299 projects across the province that support local not-for-profit community groups and organizations to deliver programs and opportunities that encourage greater social inclusion, volunteerism and community engagement for older adults (aged 55+).
• Continued to support the Senior Active Living Centres (SALC) Program, providing over $14.1 million to incorporated, not-for-profit organizations and municipalities ("operators") to provide approximately 300 non-residential programs that promote wellness, social interaction, education and support services to keep seniors active, healthy and independent.
• Invested $5.5 million in the Ontario Community Support Program, bringing the total investment to approximately $22 million, to ensure that low-income seniors, people with disabilities and other vulnerable people have access to essential items they need. In 2022–23, from April to December 2022, this critical community support has made 647,967 deliveries of meals, medicine and other items to more than 18,750 low-income seniors and people with disabilities, bringing the total from April 2020 to December 31, 2022 to over 2.3 million deliveries to over 84,000 individuals.
• Continued to support the Accessible Drive to Vaccines Program, in partnership with Ontario Community Supports Association, to help people with disabilities, including seniors with mobility issues, get to and from COVID‑19 vaccination sites where transportation is a barrier in Ontario. As of March 4, 2023, this initiative has provided transportation for 3,916 individuals to receive their COVID‑19 vaccines.
• Supported the administration of the David C. Onley Award for Leadership in Accessibility program which recognizes individual Ontarians, and organizations in Ontario who raise awareness about he benefits of inclusion and foster positive change in their communities with their work helping to improve the lives and experiences of people with disabilities in Ontario. In doing so, recognized the exceptional contributions of three individuals in three categories: Youth Leadership, Employee Engagement and Role Model.
• Held the Ontario Senior Achievement Awards, which celebrated 16 outstanding seniors for their exceptional contributions to their communities and to the province as well as for making a positive difference in the lives of Ontarians. Their contributions include fundraising, leading community beautification projects, helping with Meals on Wheels programs, and volunteering in hospitals, local churches, senior organizations, retirement homes and long-term care homes. They support and empower seniors serving as advocates for veterans, the homeless, new immigrants, the Francophone community, people with disabilities and job seekers.
• Helped seniors stay safely in their homes by extending the Seniors Home Safety Tax Credit for 2022–23. The credit extension provided an estimated $24 million in support to about 32,000 people, or $1,100 on average, up to a maximum benefit of $2,500 in eligible expenses for a senior’s principal residence in Ontario.
• Implemented a new, refundable Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit to help low-to-moderate income senior families with eligible home care medical expenses, including for attendant care, assistive breathing devices, and hearing and walking aids. For the 2022 tax year, this new Personal Income Tax credit provided an estimated $110 million in support to about 200,000 low-to moderate-income senior families, or about $550 on average. Eligible recipients received up to 25% of their claimable medical expenses up to $6,000, for a maximum credit of $1,500.
• Invested an additional $5 million through the Home and Vehicle Modification Program to support more than an estimated 1,200 individuals with long-term disabilities to remain in their homes and participate in their communities. Eligible individuals may receive a grant of up to $15,000 to modify their home and/or vehicle so they can continue to live safely in their homes, avoid job loss and participate in their communities.
• Continued to support the Internal Cross-Government Connected and Automated Vehicle (CV/AV) Plan including two ministry led actions of (i) Enhancing understanding of the accessibility impacts of CV/AVs through engaging with municipalities and other stakeholders and (ii) assessing the impact of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 from the perspective of CV/AVs. This work will help the government reduce barriers for people with disabilities as these technologies advance and are manifested in the province.
• Co-lead (with MCCSS) a thorough analysis and engagement with other provinces and the federal government on the Canadian Disability Benefit to ensure effective linkage with Ontario programs and benefits. This engagement will support better preparation for the benefit, so Ontarians are better off with the benefit is implemented and not penalized or disadvantaged in other programs.
• Engaged with and influenced a variety of ministry partner initiatives and strategies to ensure accessibility barriers are not created, are broken down and people with disabilities are meaningfully considered:
  • MCCSS — Developmental Services Workforce Strategy, Poverty Reduction Strategy, Ontario Disability Support Program Refresh
  • MOH — Acceleration of Ontario Health Teams initiative, implementation of the expanded biosimilars policy, health cards renewal policy
  • MMAH — Housing Supply Action Plan, Community Housing Renewal, Multi-Ministry Supportive Housing Initiative
  • OMAFRA — Food Security and Supply Chain Strategy
  • MLITSD — Employment Services Integration, Workforce Development Strategy, Workers Initiative
• Collaborated with MOH on improving access to dental care by expanding the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program to improve access to eligible seniors and reduce wait times, so that seniors will have access to comprehensive, high quality dental care.
• Collaborated with MOH and MLTC to expand palliative care services in Ontario, including to those in retirement homes.
• Collaborated with MOH to ensure older adults and people with disabilities in Ontario are better served by establishing effective and responsive health care service capacity and adequate human resources capacity today and in the future.
• Co-chaired the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum, including preparations to host the first in-person Ministers’ meeting since 2019 and initiating the development of a new technology workplace to support aging at home, and seniors’ abuse; and helping facilitate a roundtable on Ageism that enables Ontario to influence the FPT agenda and feeds Ontario’s perspective into a broader national report.