For Immediate Release                                                                      July 17, 2006

McGUINTY GOVERNMENT INVESTS $42,449 IN COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS TO PROMOTE ACTIVE LIVING IN KINGSTON AND     THE ISLANDS

Communities In Action Fund Helping Ontario Get Active For the Third Year

KINGSTON – The McGuinty government is increasing physical activity and sport participation rates in Kingston by providing three local organizations with Communities In Action Fund grants, MPP John Gerretsen announced today on behalf of Minister of Health Promotion

Jim Watson.

“The Communities in Action Fund is a great program that equips Kingston residents with the resources and tools they need to be more active in our community,” said Gerretsen. “By providing enhanced opportunities for physical activity we are removing some of the barriers that have prevented people from participating in sport and recreation programs and help us all to lead healthier lives.”

Recipients of the grant, funded through CIAF include:

Kingston Rowing Club                                                              $   34,912

The North Kingston Community Health Centre                            $     6,168

Limestone Learning Foundation                                                 $     1,369                                                                          

Now in its third year, The Communities In Action Fund is a $5 million program that supports ACTIVE2010, Ontario’s strategy to increase physical activity and sport participation across the province, and supports the work of Ontario’s Action Plan for Healthy Eating and Active Living. Today’s grant is a portion of this fund.

“Through CIAF, we partner with organizations that are helping Ontario families develop more healthy and active lifestyles,” said Minister of Health Promotion Jim Watson. “By increasing physical activity, we are building a healthier Ontario for healthy Ontarians.”

CIAF helps local and provincial not-for-profit organizations provide more community sport and recreation projects.  Priority is given to projects that benefit underserved groups like older adults, children and youth, girls and women, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal people, low-income individuals and visible and ethnic minorities. In the three years of the program, the McGuinty government has awarded more than $15.8 million to more than 400 not-for-profit organizations across the province.