15.1 Active Living and Leisure

Online Life Event Bundle “Pursuing Life’s Best After Retirement”

The Ontario government is bundling information and services around key life events, such as “Pursuing Life’s Best After Retirement”.

Each bundle brings together in one place everything on the subject. From this site, you can find information on things about the Arts, Community Involvement, and Volunteering, Family History, Finding a Job, Learning Opportunities, The Outdoors, Recreation and Travel.

For information, visit the “Life Events” section at the Government of Ontario Website at www.ontario.ca or a ServiceOntario Centre, or call the Citizens’ Inquiry Bureau at 1-800-267-8097.

Community Activities

For information about recreation and social activities in your community, check with local community centres, cultural centres, places of worship, your municipal department of Parks and Recreation and service clubs in your area (e.g., YMCA, Rotary, Lions, Royal Canadian Legion, Kinsmen, Kinettes, Kiwanis) listed in the White Pages of your telephone book, or the community listings in your local community newspaper.

Older Adult Centres

Older Adult Centres provide a wide range of social, recreational and educational activities and programs for older adults. To locate an Older Adult Centre in your community:

• contact your local Community Information Centre
• check with your local Parks and Recreation Department (listed in the Blue Pages of your telephone book under the keyword “Parks and Recreation”) or
• contact the Older Adult Centres Association of Ontario:

Toll-free: 1-866-835-7693
Phone: 905-497-8122
E-mail: lbloom@oacao.org
Website: www.oacao.org

Public Libraries

Ontario has an extensive public and Aboriginal library network, which provide many services to seniors and their families in a welcoming, accessible and friendly atmosphere, including:

• Internet access through computer workstations and Internet training
• reference materials, in both paper and electronic forms
• reference services by trained librarians
• lending of books, magazines, compact discs, cassette tapes, videos and films
• workshops on health and leisure topics, social activities, book clubs.

Librarians are available to answer questions, request books and other materials through the inter-library loan system and help you use the computer workstations.

For the library nearest you, consult the Blue Pages of your telephone book under the keyword “Libraries” or visit the “Index of Public Libraries” Website at www.culture.gov.on.ca/english/culdiv/library/oplweb.htm

The Arts

If you love the arts, you may want to contact your community arts council through Community Arts Ontario. Some local arts organizations have special senior rates, programs or teaching opportunities.
Community Arts Ontario
401 Richmond St. W., Ste. 354
Toronto ON M5V 3A8
Toll-free: 1-800-806-2302
Phone: 416-598-1128
Fax: 416-598-4468
E-mail: info@artsonline.ca
Website: www.artsonline.ca

Museums and Historical Societies

Ontario has a wealth of history to be discovered through small museums and historical societies, from community initiatives to world-renowned provincial institutions like the Royal Ontario Museum. For more information, contact these organizations:
Ontario Museum Association
50 Baldwin St.
Toronto ON M5T 1L4
Phone: 416-348-8672
Fax: 416-348-0438
Website: www.museumsontario.com

Ontario Historical Society
34 Parkview Ave.
Willowdale ON M2N 3Y2
Phone: 416-226-9011
Fax: 416-226-2740
E-mail: ohs@ontariohistoricalsociety.ca
Website: www.ontariohistoricalsociety.ca

Multicultural History Society
43 Queen’s Park Cres. E.
Toronto ON M5S 2C3
Phone: 416-979-2973
Fax: 416-979-7947
E-mail: mhso.mail@utoronto.ca
Website: www.mhso.ca

Family History

If you are interested in exploring your family history, government and community organizations such as the Ontario Genealogical Society, The Archives of Ontario, the National Archives of Canada and the National Library of Canada are available to assist you with your research.

15.2 Nutrition

Canada’s Food Guide to Healthy Eating

Eating is one of the best things life has to offer. Food helps you celebrate with your family and friends. It nourishes your body. It gives you energy to get through each day. The right balance of food and activity helps you stay at a healthy body weight.

You don't have to give up foods you love for the sake of your health. But you do need to aim for variety and moderation. Canada's Food Guide to Healthy Eating can help you make choices. For a copy, contact:
Publications Health Canada
Ottawa ON K1A 0K9
Phone: 613-954-5995
Website: www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fnan/food-guide-aliment/index_e.html

Dietitians of Canada

Dietitians of Canada is an association of food and nutrition professionals committed to the health and wellbeing of Canadians. Dietitians of Canada produce a variety of resources to help people make healthy food choices and learn more about the role of nutrition in health. Dietitians of Canada can help you find a nutritionist in your area.
Dietitians of Canada
480 University Ave., Ste. 604
Toronto ON M5G 1V2
Phone: 416-596-0857
Fax: 416-596-0603
Website: www.dietitians.ca

15.3 Sports and Recreation

ACTIVE2010

ACTIVE2010 is the Ontario Government's Physical Activity Strategy, managed by the Ministry of Health Promotion.

ACTIVE2010 is your one-stop source of information on increasing physical activity in Ontario. If you are a physical activity leader, you'll find all kinds of tools, resources, ideas and links to help you promote increased participation in physical activity in your community. For those of you who just want to learn more about the benefits of physical activity, there's valuable information to help you get started on a more active, healthier lifestyle.
ACTIVE2010
Website: www.active2010.ca

Canada's Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living for Older Adults

Canada's Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living for Older Adults promotes physical activity in an aging society. The guide serves as a roadmap for older adults – explaining why physical activity is important, offering tips and easy ways to increase their physical activity and stating how much is needed to maintain good health and improved quality of living in later life. For a copy of the guide, or for more information:
Toll-free: 1-888-334-9769
Website: www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/pau-uap/paguide/older/index.html

Provincial Sport Organizations

The Ministry of Health Promotion supports provincial sport organizations through grants, resources and consultative services. Provincial sport organizations train coaches and officials, co-ordinate regional and provincial championships, expand the base of participation and assist athletes. Many provincial sport organizations provide programming for seniors. The Sport Alliance of Ontario assists individuals and organizations interested in supporting sport and recreation throughout Ontario. Their Website provides a list of provincial sport organizations under the “Links” section.
Sport Alliance of Ontario
1185 Eglinton Ave. E.
North York ON M3C 3C6
Phone: 416-426-7000
Website: www.sportalliance.com

Ontario Senior Games

The Ontario Senior Games, known as Actifest (summer) and Winterfest (winter), are multievent provincial competitions in various sports and activities for adults aged 55 and older. Actifest and Winterfest are each held every two years in alternating years. Participants qualify by winning competitions held in 39 districts across the province.

For more information about the games, or to find out how you can become a participant, contact:
Ontario Senior Games Association
1185 Eglinton Ave. E., Ste.204
North York ON M3C 3C6
Toll-free: 1-800-320-6423
Phone: 416-426-7031
Fax: 416-426-7226
Website: www.ontarioseniorgames.ca

15.4 The Outdoors

Ontario Parks

Whether it’s spectacular scenery, hiking trails, historical sites or sandy beaches you’re looking for, you’ll find it all in Ontario’s provincial parks.

Discounts for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities

Ontario Parks offers reduced camping and day-use fees to encourage Ontario residents over the age of 65 and persons with physical disabilities to take advantage of provincial park facilities, activities and services. In general, camping and day-use fees are discounted by 20 percent for Ontario seniors and by 50 percent for disabled persons.

Persons who have a valid Disabled Persons Parking Permit issued by the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, or a National Identity Card issued by the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, are eligible for reduced fees for the disabled.

Facilities for Persons with Disabilities

Ontario Parks offers a variety of facilities for campers and day visitors with disabilities, making it possible for those in wheelchairs, or with visual or other impairments to enjoy the natural environment.

Most picnic areas, campsites and some self-guided trails or boardwalks in provincial parks are wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair. Comfort stations in many parks are
designed for older adults or those with limited mobility and include railings and seats in special, larger shower stalls, and lower nozzles with hand adapters. Many parks also have wheelchair-accessible interpretive exhibit buildings and administrative offices.

Recreational Vehicles

With over 15,000 car-camping sites, there are plenty of provincial park campsites that will accommodate recreational vehicles (RVs). Electrical hook-ups and trailer dumping stations are available in most parks. Only one RV is permitted per campsite.

When making a camping reservation by telephone, be sure to tell the call-centre operator the size of your RV. The sizes of individual campsites are indicated on the campground maps on the Ontario Parks Website, so when making a reservation via the Website, you can determine whether or not the campsite you’re looking at will accommodate your RV.

Campsite Reservations

Reservations for camping are recommended and may be made using the Ontario Parks reservation Website at www.ontarioparks.com or by calling 1-888-ONT-PARK (1-888-668-7275) between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. daily. You can reserve a site up to five months in advance. There is a $9 non-refundable fee for making a telephone or Website reservation.

When making a telephone reservation, please advise call-centre operators of your eligibility for the Ontario Seniors or Ontario Disabled Persons discounts. Call-centre staff may be able to help you reserve a site close to an accessible comfort station, or possibly suggest another park that would better suit your needs.

Information about park opening and closing dates, fees and how to make a reservation can be found in the Ontario Parks Guide, available at:

• provincial park offices
• Ministry of Natural Resources district offices
• Ontario Travel Information Centres, or
• by calling 1-800-ONTARIO (1-800-668-2746).

Ontario Tourism
Toll-free English: 1-800-ONTARIO
(1-800-668-2746)
Toll-free French: 1-800-268-3736

Ontario Parks
Toll-free: 1-888-ONT-PARK
(1-888-668-7275)
Website: www.OntarioParks.com

Ministry of Natural Resources
Toll-free: 1-800-667-1940
TTY: 416-314-6557
Website: www.mnr.gov.on.ca

Conservation Ontario

Conservation Ontario is a network of 36 Conservation Authorities with over 250 conservation areas offering a variety of recreational and educational outdoor activities such as birding, hiking, camping, canoeing and interpretive centres.

For a listing of the conservation areas and their activities, your local Conservation Authority is listed in the Blue Pages of your telephone book under the keyword “Conservation Areas.” Or consult the Conservation Ontario's publication "Your Guide to Conservation Areas in Ontario," available in print or online.
Conservation Ontario
120 Bayview Pkwy., PO Box 11
Newmarket ON L3Y 4W3
Phone: 905-895-0716
Fax: 905-895-0751
E-mail: info@conservation-ontario.on.ca
Website: www.conservationontario.on.ca

Fishing and Hunting in Ontario

Fishing

Most Canadians need a licence to fish in Ontario. Fishing licences are sold by more than 2,000 licence issuers across Ontario, with all sales revenue used to manage the resource.

An Ontario Outdoors Card is a plastic, wallet-sized identification card to which your Ontario fishing licence tag is affixed. You need an Ontario-issued Outdoors Card if:

• you are a resident of Canada, and
• you are at least 18 years old but have not reached your 65th birthday, and
• you want to fish in Ontario.

If you are 65 years of age or older, or a disabled Canadian resident (as defined by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act), you are not required to obtain an Outdoors Card or a fishing licence to fish in Ontario.

However, people who are exempt from obtaining an Outdoors Card and fishing licence have the same rights and responsibilities as those who have purchased a fishing licence, and must abide by all regulations, including catch and possession limits.

Hunting

If you wish to hunt in Ontario, you must have a licence valid for the species or group of species you are hunting and you must carry the licence and any validation tags with you while hunting. You must show the licence to a Conservation Officer if asked to do so. There are some special regulation provisions for seniors or disabled persons associated with hunting. For more information, please refer to the Hunting Regulations provided by the Ministry of Natural Resources.

A complete and valid licence to hunt consists of an Outdoors Card plus the required hunting licence tags (affixed to the back of your Outdoors Card) plus any applicable paper hunting licences and game seals and/or validation tags. One-year hunting licence tags are available from licence issuers located throughout Ontario.
Ministry of Natural Resources
Outdoors Card Centre
Toll-free: 1-800-387-7011
Website: www.mnr.gov.on.ca

15.5 Things To See and Do In Ontario

Ontario Travel and Tourism Information

There are many resources available to consumers wishing to discover the treasures of our province as a tourist. The information is made available through the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership, the marketing arm of the Ontario Ministry of Tourism. Whether you wish to take a quick day trip or explore the entire province, there is a wealth of resources available.

You can view these publications either online at www.ontariotravel.net, in print at one of the province’s 18 Travel Information Centres or you can request a copy by calling:
Ontario Travel and Tourism Information
Toll-free English: 1-800-ONTARIO (1-800-668-2746)
Toll-free French: 1-800-268-3736
TTY: 416-314-6557
Website: www.ontariotravel.net

Travel Information Centres

The Ministry of Tourism operates 18 Ontario Travel Information Centres (TICs) across the province. TICs offer expert travel counselling, customized trip planning and assistance with accommodation reservations. You will find information and publications on tourist attractions, accommodations, campgrounds, parks, events, festivals, hunting, fishing, boating, skiing and more. Pick up your free Ontario road map along with various ministry publications. The Travel Centres are also equipped with up-to-date reports on ski conditions, winter road conditions, provincial park vacancies, spring blossom, or fall colour tours, etc.

Year-round Travel Centres are located in Barrie, Cornwall, Fort Erie, Fort Frances, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Sarnia, Sault Ste. Marie, Toronto and Windsor.

Seasonal Travel Centres are located in Hawkesbury, Hill Island, Lancaster, Kenora, Pigeon River, Prescott and Rainy River.

For the Travel Information Centre nearest you, call 1-800-ONTARIO (1-800-668-2746) or visit www.ontariotravel.net.

15.6 Travel

Travel Documents

Passports

You can get a passport application at any post office, passport office or on the Internet at www.ppt.gc.ca Passports are issued (for a fee) by the Passport Office at Foreign Affairs Canada, and are valid for five years. To apply in person for a passport, go to one of the regional offices listed in the Blue Pages of your telephone book under the keyword “Passports”. If you mail your passport application, send it to:
Foreign Affairs Canada
Passport Office
Gatineau ON K1A 0G3

For more information, call:
Toll-free: 1-800-567-6868
TTY Toll-free: 1-866-255-7655

Visas and Tourist Cards

Certain countries require visas (permits to enter or leave the country) or tourist cards. For more information, call your travel agent, tourist board or airline, or contact the embassy or consulate of the country you wish to visit, listed in the White Pages of your telephone book. The following numbers offer travel and advisory information:
Toll-free: 1-800-267-6788
Phone: 819-944-3541
Website: www.voyage.gc.ca

You can also find useful information and advice on passports and visas, medical needs (vaccination, medication, etc.), extra health insurance, money matters, etc. through a booklet called “Bon Voyage” available at your nearest passport office, or by writing or calling:
Foreign Affairs Canada
Info Centre
125 Sussex Dr.
Ottawa ON K1A 0G2
Toll-free: 1-800-267-8376
Phone: 613-944-4000
Website: www.fac-aec.gc.ca

Customs Information and Services

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) produces a useful brochure entitled I Declare. This free brochure explains what and how much you are entitled to bring back to Canada from your travels. You can get a copy by calling the CRA at 1-800-959-2221, by visiting www.cra-arc.gc.ca/formspubs/menu-e.html, or by visiting any CRA office, travel agency, border point, airport or passport office.

The Automated Customs Information Service (ACIS) is a 24-hour phone service that offers you recorded information about general customs topics. You can access ACIS free of charge throughout Canada at 1-800-461- 9999. Callers from outside Canada can reach ACIS at 1-204-983-3500 or 1-506-636-5064 (long-distance charges will apply).

If you are travelling to or from the United States and you would like to know the approximate border wait time at major Canadian border crossings, go to www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/general/times

Travel Industry Council of Ontario

The Travel Industry Council of Ontario (TICO) is an administrative authority that administers the Travel Industry Act on behalf of Ontario’s Ministry of Government and Consumer Services. TICO has two main roles: to ensure that Ontario’s travel retailers and wholesalers conduct themselves honestly and professionally in accordance with the Travel Industry Act, and to administer the Ontario Travel Industry Compensation Fund.

If you have a complaint against an Ontario registered travel agent or travel wholesaler, TICO will help you address your concern after you have contacted the travel agent or wholesaler in an attempt to reach an equitable resolution. TICO will examine your complaint against the requirements of the Travel Industry Act to see if regulatory action is warranted, but it does not have the authority to settle a dispute or impose a settlement.

The purpose of the Ontario Travel Industry Compensation Fund is to reimburse consumers for travel services paid to a registered Ontario travel agent when the travel services are not provided.

TICO also produces a booklet “Travel Tips for Consumers”, available online at www.tico.on.ca or by contacting:
Travel Industry Council of Ontario
2700 Matheson Blvd. E.
Ste. 402, West Tower
Mississauga ON L4W 4V9
Toll-free: 1-888-451-TICO (8426)
Phone: 905-624-6241
Fax: 905-624-8631
Website: www.tico.on.ca

Travel Health

Travel Medicine Program

Health Canada’s Travel Medicine Program provides information for persons travelling outside Canada including:

• current information on international disease outbreaks
• immunization recommendations for international travel
• general health advice for international travellers, and
• disease specific treatment and prevention guidelines.

Phone: 613-957-2991
E-mail: info@hc-sc.gc.ca
Website: www.TravelHealth.gc.ca

Absences from Ontario – Maintaining Your OHIP Coverage

OHIP may cover all or a part of your health care costs while you are temporarily out of Ontario for up to 212 days in any 12-month period. You must be physically present in Ontario for 153 days in any 12-month period and make your permanent and principal home in Ontario.

You may be eligible to keep your OHIP coverage if you are out of the province for more than 212 days. This may apply if you are out of Ontario for study, work, missionary work, vacation or other reason. You must be able to provide the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care with documents that show that you meet these requirements.

Insured Services – Travelling Outside Ontario and Outside Canada

It is important to get private health insurance before you travel, as OHIP does not cover all health services received in other provinces and territories, and health care services obtained outside Canada can cost much more than the ministry pays.

Travelling Outside Ontario

When you are travelling in other Provinces or Territories in Canada, OHIP will insure most medically necessary health services. OHIP will not insure elective medical services (unless pre-arranged and approved by the Ministry of Health and Long- Term Care), prescription drugs from pharmacies, ambulance services, long-term care services, or vaccinations requested to travel outside Canada. If you pay for health services while travelling within Canada but outside of Ontario, request an itemized bill and you can submit the original receipts to your local OHIP office to apply for a refund.

Travelling Outside Canada

When you are travelling outside  Canada, OHIP will pay a set rate for emergency hospital and physician services for an acute, unexpected condition, illness, disease or injury that arises outside Canada and requires immediate treatment. OHIP will not insure elective medical services (unless pre-arranged and approved by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care), prescription drugs from pharmacies, ambulance services, long-term care services, or vaccinations requested to travel outside Canada. If you pay for health services outside Canada, request an itemized bill and you can submit the original receipts to your local OHIP office to apply for a partial refund.

Health Services Travel Claims

The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has established a 12-month time limit for people who are submitting claims to OHIP for health services received outside Ontario or Canada.

For complete information about travelling outside Ontario and Canada, call your local Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care OHIP office, or visit the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care Website at www.health.gov.on.ca/english/public/pub/ohip/travel.html. For the telephone number and location of the office nearest you, call the Seniors’ INFOline at 1-888-910-1999.

Ontario Drug Benefit Program and Travel Outside of Ontario

If you have a valid Ontario Health Card, you are automatically entitled to receive benefits under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program (ODB), from the first day of the month after you turn 65.

The ODB does not cover medications purchased outside Ontario.

Under the ODB program, you may receive up to a maximum 100 days' supply of medications. However, if you are travelling outside the province for between 100 and 200 days, you may access a second 100 days' supply of medication before you leave Ontario. In order to obtain an early refill for a second supply of up to 100 days of medication, you must provide your pharmacist with:

• a letter (which you have written yourself) confirming that you are leaving the province for between 100 and 200 days, or
• a copy of your travel insurance, confirming that you are leaving the province for between 100 and 200 days.

Your normal co-payment will also apply to the second 100-days' supply.

For more information on the Ontario Drug Benefit Program:
Toll-free: 1-866-811-9893
Phone: 416-327-8109
TTY Toll-free: 1-800-387-5559
E-mail: DrugPrograms@moh.gov.on.ca
Website: www.health.gov.on.ca

15.7 Retirement Abroad

Information About Retiring Abroad

The Consular Affairs Bureau of Foreign Affairs Canada has available in print and online a publication entitled Retirement Abroad: Seeing the Sunsets, which offers information and tips for people thinking about retiring in another country either on a seasonal or permanent basis.

To order a copy, contact:
Enquiries Service
Foreign Affairs Canada
125 Sussex Dr.
Ottawa ON K1A 0G2
Toll-free: 1-800-267-8376
E-mail: enqserv@international.gc.ca
Website: www.voyage.gc.ca/main/living/retiring_abroad-en.asp

Canadian Snowbird Association

The Canadian Snowbird Association (CSA) is a non-profit organization that works for Canadian travellers by actively defending and improving their rights and privileges.
Canadian Snowbird Association
180 Lesmill Rd.
North York ON M3B 2T5
Toll-free: 1-800-265-3200
Phone: 416-391-9000
Fax: 416-441-7007
E-mail: csawriteus@snowbirds.org
Website: www.snowbirds.org