Petition to the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility

TO: The Honourable Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility, Government of Ontario

WHEREAS:

• The Toronto District School Board's Learn4Life program serves over 11,000 adults annually, with approximately 35% being seniors aged 65+
• These classes provide essential physical activity, mental stimulation, and social connection that research shows delays dementia progression and reduces healthcare costs by maintaining physical mobility and mental acuity while preventing the social isolation that accelerates cognitive decline
• TDSB is mandated to operate adult education programs at cost-neutral levels but faces a current annual deficit of close to $500,000. This deficit became significant due to pandemic-related disruptions, but has been decreasing recently through increasing enrollment.
• The Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility has identified social inclusion and community engagement as key priorities for senior wellness. This achieved major positive impacts by prioritizing social inclusion and community engagement for senior wellness. Like the Oasis Senior Supportive Living project in Kingston, which delayed long-term care placement by over a year, the Learn 4 Life program aligns with these proven priorities and can deliver a significant positive impact by keeping seniors independent longer.

THE CRISIS: TDSB has announced fee increases of 45% for general enrollment and 66% for seniors, effective Fall 2025. These dramatic increases will:

• Price out an estimated 1,750 seniors out of programs they depend on for health and social connection
• Undermine years of community-led efforts that successfully reduced the program deficit from $800,000 to $500,000
• Create a healthcare cost burden (that could be estimated at over $5 million annually) as seniors become less active and socially isolated.

SUPPORTING OBSERVATIONS AND DATA:

Senior Discount Erosion: The Learn4Life program provides a senior discount that has been gradually declining due to budget pressures:

• 35% discount before September 2024
• 30% discount from September 2024 to present
• 20% discount proposed for September 2025 and forward

Financial Impact Analysis: The current senior discount costs approximately $435,000 annually, representing 87% of the total program deficit. This means Ministry support for the senior discount would essentially achieve program cost-neutrality without prohibitive fee increases.

Healthcare Cost Comparison: The $435,000 annual cost to maintain senior affordability is:

• Less than the cost of 50 seniors in long-term care for one year
• A fraction of the healthcare costs resulting from 3,500+ seniors becoming less active and socially isolated
• An investment that generates estimated healthcare savings exceeding $5 million annually

Social Impact: The Ontario government's Primary Care Action Team, led by Dr. Jane Philpott, emphasizes that community and belonging are essential for improving societal health beyond just access to care. The Oasis Senior Supportive Living project in Kingston demonstrates this principle, delaying long-term care placement by over a year simply through community connection. Learn4Life offers the same potential for healthcare cost savings by supporting senior independence in Toronto.

THE OPPORTUNITY: While TDSB cannot access existing provincial grants like the Ontario Seniors Community Grant Program or Seniors Active Living Centres (SALC) funding, both designed to support exactly the type of programming Learn4Life provides, the Ministry can directly support this proven, large-scale senior wellness initiative.

WE PETITION the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility to:

• Provide immediate funding to cover the senior discount portion of Learn4Life programming, enabling the program to achieve cost-neutrality while maintaining affordability
• Create a pathway for school boards to access existing senior wellness grants, recognizing that TDSB's Learn4Life effectively operates as multiple community centers serving seniors across Toronto
• Recognize Learn4Life as a strategic investment in senior health that prevents costly healthcare interventions and supports the Ministry's mandate of keeping seniors active and engaged in their communities

THE IMPACT: Supporting Learn4Life means:

• Keeping 3,500+ seniors active and socially connected
• Preventing millions in downstream healthcare costs
• Maintaining a 100+ year tradition of community learning in Toronto schools
• Demonstrating provincial commitment to senior wellness and community programming

A Personal Story: My wife Azadeh and I joined Learn4Life ballroom dancing classes over 10 years ago after our first child was born. Between hectic work schedules and caring for a newborn, we found it nearly impossible to stay physically active or find time to connect as a couple. These weekly classes became our lifeline, helping us maintain our relationship and our health during one of life's most challenging transitions.

What made the experience even more meaningful were the friendships we formed with the seniors in our class. One woman had danced with her late husband for decades and came to stay active while meeting new people. Another grandmother regularly brought her grandson, creating a beautiful bond across generations while both stayed healthy and active. These stories are repeated in classrooms across Toronto. Seniors using Learn4Life not just for fitness, but for connection, purpose, and joy.

Sign this petition to urge Minister Cho to step in and save Learn4Life before unaffordable fee increases destroy this vital community resource.

Sign up for Friends of Learn4Life to help us save the program.

(NOTE: Donation in this website (change.org) are not for Learn4Life or our group. Donations are generally for the website that hosts petitions)