News release
For immediate release
Guelph MP announces Government of Canada’s support for local healthy living initiatives
Guelph, ON — September 26, 2025
Today, Dominique O’Rourke, Member of Parliament for Guelph, on behalf of the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, announced an investment of $1,391,542 through the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Healthy Canadians and Communities Fund (HCCF) to the University of Guelph.
In collaboration with 13 committed community members with diverse lived experiences, the University of Guelph will co-lead the Food Uniting Neighbours project (f.u.n.) which focuses on improving food access for low-income residents in Guelph’s Onward Willow and Centre Wellington neighbourhoods. Successful interventions brought forward in the design phase will be implemented, such as transportation support to improve access to food, food skills workshops, opportunities for the community to build better social connections, and the creation of community gardens.
More than two out of every five adults over the age of 20 living in Canada have at least one of the 10 most common chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer. In addition, some children are now developing chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes, normally not seen until adulthood. The Public Health Agency of Canada’s Healthy Canadians and Community Fund invests annually to support community-based projects that focus on reducing the common behavioral risk factors associated with chronic diseases.
The University of Guelph is one of 7 organizations funded through the HCCF which is developing and promoting programs and resources that empower communities to support the health and well-being of Canadians. More information about the projects funded under the HCCF can be found in the interactive report.
Quotes
"Community partners will help Canadians improve their health by encouraging participation in programs that promote healthy behaviours. By giving every Canadian a fair chance to live a healthier life, we are not only improving individual well-being, we are also reducing health care costs, boosting productivity and building a stronger economy."
- The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health
"Good health is foundational to all other aspects of our well-being; our participation in the community, at home and at work. When community partners build bridges with people we are investing in their health, laying the foundation for communities that are healthier, more equitable connected, and more empowered."
- Dominique O’Rourke, Member of Parliament for Guelph
“The work that Drs. Haines and Domingo are doing with community members is exactly the kind of collaboration we strive for at U of G. We recognize how critical these partnerships are for creating and mobilizing research knowledge, and we thank the federal government for their support which will help improve life for our communities.” -Dr. Shayan Sharif, Interim Vice-President (Research and Innovation), University of Guelph
“We are so grateful for this continued funding from PHAC which allows us to work directly with our local communities to identify and reduce barriers to healthy eating.”
-Dr. Jess Haines, Professor of Applied Nutrition, co-leader with Dr. Ashleigh Domingo, Assistant Professor of Human Health Sciences.
Quick facts
- Projects funded through the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Healthy Canadians and Communities Fund focus on priority populations who face health inequalities and are at greater risk of developing chronic disease, such as Indigenous Peoples, newcomers to Canada, people with disabilities, 2SLGBTQI+ communities, people living on low incomes and racialized communities.
- The HCCF interactive reportprovides information about projects funded under the HCCF.
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For media inquiries, please contact:
Lianne Cassidy, Chief of Staff to Dominique O'Rourke
Member of Parliament for Guelph
519-837-5170