Supporting Winnipeggers
Learn more about City programs and services to support people living on low income at winnipeg.ca/supportingwinnipeggers
The Recreation Fee Assistance Program:
- Reduces financial barriers to participation
- Helps ensure equitable access to recreation programs and services
Program benefits
There are three types of benefits available:
Facility pass
Unlimited admission to the City of Winnipeg's recreation facilities, including:
Annual facility access will be provided via a rechargeable 10-visit pass.
Drop-in active living pass
10-visit pass for drop-in active living programs (including Zumba and Aquafit)
Leisure Guide activity credit
- $300 credit per person
- For registered Leisure Guide activities, including:
- Skating lessons
- Swimming lessons
- Summer camps
If you are applying for fee assistance for the Leisure Guide activity credit:
- Apply prior to the Leisure Guide registration dates
- If approved, you are responsible for completing your own registrations
- A Leisure Guide activity credit will be added to the account of each individual identified on the application
- The Leisure Guide activity credit is an annual credit to be applied towards all Leisure Guide sessions. It is valid for a period of 12 months from approval
- The Leisure Guide activity credit cannot be used to purchase:
- Admissions
- Visits/memberships
- Facility rentals
- Gift cards
- POS items
- The Leisure Guide activity credit is not transferrable and has no cash value
Program eligibility
Individuals or economic families:
- Must be a City of Winnipeg resident(s)
- One of the following must apply:
- You are a new permanent resident or refugee who has:
- Been in Canada for less than 18 months, and
- Not filed a tax return
- You have an economic family income below the low income cut-off (LICO) (amounts listed below)
- You are a new permanent resident or refugee who has:
| Economic family size | Total income |
|---|---|
| 1 | $30,526 |
| 2 | $38,003 |
| 3 | $46,720 |
| 4 | $56,724 |
| 5 | $64,336 |
| 6 | $72,560 |
| 7 | $80,785 |
| More than 7 | for each additional person, add $8,225 |
Note: Other considerations may be made for special circumstances.
(Sources: Statistics Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada)
"Economic family" refers to a group of two or more persons who:
- Live in the same dwelling, and
- Are related to each other by:
- Blood
- Marriage
- Common-law union
- Adoption or a foster relationship
Application requirements
Gather one of the following items before applying:
- An Employment and Income Assistance (EIA) case number
- A supporting document that verifies economic need (if it has not already been supplied in the past 12 months). Accepted documents include:
- Documentation showing your landing date in Canada and UCI number
- Most recent Canada Revenue Agency Notice of Assessment
- Identifying annual net income of all economic family members
- Monthly statement of income from CPP Disability
- Including the income verification of all economic family members
Unable to provide the above documents? A third party agency you have a relationship with may be able to provide a referral for you. Please reach out to your social or support worker to see if they can provide you with a referral.
Application form
Recreation Fee Assistance Program Application (PDF, 230KB)
- Include everyone in your economic family on one application
- Check off which benefits you would like to receive
- Provide a daytime phone number in case we have any questions
How to apply
Submit your completed application form and supporting documentation.
Apply by email
Please note: the City cannot guarantee the security of your personal information if you choose to submit by email.
Apply by mail
Fee Assistance Program
395 Main St.
Winnipeg, MB R3B 3N8
Apply in-person
395 Main St.
or any indoor pool, or fitness & leisure centre.
Next steps
If you emailed, you will receive an automatic response letting you know that your application has been received.
You will be sent a letter indicating the outcome of your application.
If your application is approved, you will need to finish setting up your leisureONLINE account.
Third party referrals and partner agencies
We partner with organizations and agencies who can help people access the Recreation Fee Assistance Program. These organizations:
- Serve newcomers, refugees, and individuals and families living on low income
- Refer clients and community members to the program, and
- Submit applications on their behalf
Our partners include:
- Organizations in the settlement sector
- Neighbourhood renewal corporations
- Social workers
- Family resource centres
- Government social assistance
If you work for an organization who serves individuals and families who are eligible for the Recreation Fee Assistance Program and are interested in becoming a third party partner agency, please contact RecFeeAssist@winnipeg.ca for more information.
If you are an individual who would like a referral, reach out to your social worker or support worker to see if they can provide you with a referral.
Contact us
For more information on the Recreation Fee Assistance Program, please call 311 or email RecFeeAssist@winnipeg.ca.
Other subsidized services
If you are approved for participation in the Recreation Fee Assistance Program, you may be eligible for other subsidized City of Winnipeg services, such as: