ORAZIETTI ANNOUNCES ONTARIO FINNISH RESTHOME ASSOCIATION RECIPIENT OF HEATHER CROWE AWARD

David Orazietti, MPP presents the Heather Crowe award to Helina McGrath, Executive Director of Care, The Ontario Finnish Resthome Association Sault Ste. Marie – Today at Queen’s Park, to mark the 10 year anniversary of the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy, the Ontario Finnish Resthome Association (OFRA) was presented with the Heather Crowe
Award, in recognition of their work in promoting a smoke-free environment, announced David Orazietti
MPP.

“Our community is fortunate to have so many dedicated individuals who are committed to a Smoke-Free
Ontario, including the Ontario Finnish Resthome Association,” said Orazietti. “They are working tirelessly to
protect our residents and workers from the harmful effects of secondhand smoke, prevent youth from
starting to smoke, and helping current smokers quit. I am pleased to recognize their efforts today at
Queen’s Park.”

OFRA was selected as one of 10 recipients of the Heather Crowe Smoke-Free Ontario Award to recognize
individuals, groups and organizations that have championed tobacco control in Ontario over the past 10
years. Heather Crowe was a non-smoker who developed lung cancer after being exposed to second-hand
smoke in her workplace.

On May 31, 2013, OFRA implemented a 100 per cent smoke-free housing policy affecting all tenants who
signed a new lease date thereafter to demonstrate commitment in promoting a smoke-free, healthy living
environment for its staff, residents and visitors. As one of the first facilities to establish smoke-free multi-unit
housing in Algoma, their leadership raised the bar for other landlords across the district to consider
implementing the same measure. To further protect its employees and residents from the harmful effects of
second-hand smoke, the association developed a comprehensive, 100 per cent smoke-free property policy
on May 31, 2015, which inspired and enforced a cessation culture among its staff and residents who
smoked. The smoke-free property policy involved the collaborative effort of staff and community partners,
such as Algoma Public Health and Smoker’s Helpline, to offer resources, quit-smoking sessions and
support for those who smoked to help comply with the new policy. As a result, smoking rates have dropped
among staff who smoked and compliance has been high since the policy was first implemented.
“The Ontario-Finnish Resthome Association is extremely gratified to have been recognized for taking a
step toward a smoke-free Ontario in being awarded the prestigious Heather Crowe Award,” said Paul
Belair, Chief Executive Officer, OFRA. “The Board of Directors, management, staff and volunteers all wish
to congratulate tenants, residents and stakeholders alike for their efforts in achieving our now 100% smoke
free property.”

Ontario is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy with the launch of a new
Cessation Action Plan that continues to support a smoke-free culture and will make it easier for Ontarians
to quit smoking.