ROCKLAND, Ontario – On Tuesday, local MPP Stéphane Sarrazin met with the FARFO Eastern Regional team to celebrate a $97,900 start-up grant awarded by the Government of Ontario through the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to support the development of Carrefour 50, a new platform for Francophone seniors in Eastern Ontario.
“I am pleased to see the Carrefour 50 project taking shape thanks to the support of the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” said Stéphane Sarrazin, MPP for Glengarry—Prescott—Russell. “This initiative addresses a real need among Francophone seniors in Eastern Ontario by facilitating their access to a variety of services, activities, and resources in their community. It will contribute concretely to their inclusion, participation, and well-being.”
The $97,900 grant awarded in 2024 enabled the development of Carrefour 50, a new platform designed to facilitate access for Francophone seniors to services, activities, programs and resources offered by member clubs and organizations of the Eastern Regional FARFO, while promoting their active participation in community life.
Developed following consultations with member clubs and organizations of the FARFO Eastern Regional branch, the platform addresses a clearly identified need to better promote the services available to Francophone seniors and facilitate their access to a diverse range of activities, programs, and resources in their community.
The platform will act as a regional showcase, bringing together the services offered by member organizations of the Eastern Regional FARFO. Users will be able to view and access services, programs, activities, and resources offered by participating clubs and organizations, while also discovering initiatives for Francophone seniors in Eastern Ontario.
“We sincerely thank the Ontario Trillium Foundation for its trust and support. This contribution has allowed us to carry out a promising project that will directly benefit Francophone seniors in Eastern Ontario. Carrefour 50 will showcase the exceptional work of our member clubs and organizations while facilitating access to services for our aging population,” stated Marc Ryan, President of the Eastern Ontario Regional FARFO.
The technological development of Carrefour 50 is now complete. Over the next few months, the Eastern Regional FARFO will proceed with the gradual integration of participating organizations and the deployment of the platform’s various functionalities to ensure it is fully accessible to seniors and their families.
This initiative will help increase the use of services offered to Francophone seniors, promote their participation in community life and strengthen the vitality of Francophone communities in Eastern Ontario.
The Eastern Regional FARFO has represented the interests of Francophone seniors and retirees in Eastern Ontario since 2010. It supports its member clubs in carrying out activities that promote active aging, social inclusion, volunteering, and civic participation.
The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government whose mission is to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. In 2025-26, the OTF invested nearly $107 million in 746 community projects. These projects aim to improve economic well-being, promote more active lifestyles, support the development of children and youth, provide spaces where people can gather and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca/en to learn more.
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Information
Marc Ryan
Président
FARFO régionale de l’Est
873-455-5421
marc_ryan2006@gmail.com
Noémie Prevost Communications Coordinator Office of MPP Stéphane Sarrazin noemie.prevost@pc.ola.org