Canada Healthy Communities Initiative

Sep. 27

As Canadians continue to adapt to the realities of COVID-19, local governments and community partners across the country are adapting their spaces and services to keep residents safe and healthy, support economic recovery, create jobs, and build vibrant, resilient communities.

The Healthy Communities Initiative is a $60 Million investment from the Government of Canada that has funded projects between $5,000 and $250,000 to help create safe and vibrant public spaces, improve mobility options, and provide digital solutions to help their neighbourhoods or communities navigate the pandemic and build back better in the COVID-19 recovery. There are over 1,000 projects taking place across the country, including every province and territory.

Waterloo Region Community Foundation is proud to have worked with Community Foundations of Canada, the Government of Canada, and other community foundations in South Western Ontario to provide approximately $2.5 Million in funding to support organizations that are showing creativity and resourcefulness in creating solutions that enable people to connect and access public spaces safely while still respecting public health measures. As part of the first round, the South Western Ontario HUB provided approximately $550,000 in funding to support 28 projects. During the second round the South Western Ontario HUB provided $744,000 to 35 projects. In the third, and final round of funding, the South Western Ontario HUB provided approximately $1.2 Million in funding, and supported an additional 37 projects.

The South Western Ontario HUB was co-led by Waterloo Region Community Foundation, London Community Foundation and WindsorEssex Community Foundation, in partnership with Aylmer Area Community Foundation, Sarnia Community Foundation and Sunset Community Foundation supported by Centre Wellington Community Foundation, Dufferin Community Foundation, Elgin St. Thomas Community Foundation and Oxford Community Foundation.

“Public spaces are the glue to our communities; they enable a feeling of belonging and a social cohesion. They are a big part of what makes communities safe, vibrant and connected. As Waterloo Region faces the impacts of increased isolation due to COVID-19, these projects from the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative will help our community to connect safely and will benefit the mental and physical well-being of people in our region,” says Eric Avner, President & CEO, Waterloo Region Community Foundation.

Waterloo Region organizations supported through the Canada Health Communities Initiative are listed below. A complete list of projects across Canada that received funding through the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative can be found at healthycommunitiesinitiative.ca.

To learn more about the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative, visit healthycommunitiesinitiative.ca or contact grants@wrcf.ca.