Subsidized Programs

We offer subsidized programs to low income Whitby residents for recreation programs.

Please send us an email with your interest or questions or give us a call at 905.655.2010.

Applying for the Access Program

The Access Program provides funding for Town of Whitby recreation programs. If you live in the Town of Whitby, you can apply for our Access Program by completing our online Access Program Application.

You must include supporting documents with your application. We accept photocopies, digital photos and hard copies.

Proof of total family income

We accept the following documents to show proof of family income:

Most current tax return Notice of Assessment that lists the total income for you and your spouse or partner (A 2023 Notice of Assessment will be required as of June 1, 2024)

Most current Government Social Assistance statement through Ontario Works or Ontario Disability Support Program listing eligible family members

Proof of a Whitby address

We require two of the following items showing your current Whitby address for you and your spouse or partner:

Driver's licence
Ontario Photo Card
Utility bill
Residential tax bill
Rent receipt
Government Social Assistance statement

Canada Child Benefit Statement

If you are listing any child under the age of 18 on your Access Program Application, you need to provide the most recent Canada Child Benefit Statement listing all eligible children

Stay informed

For more information, view our Subsidy Newsletter or contact us for an accessible version of our Subsidized Programs Information Brochure.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Access Program, you must be a Whitby resident and living within 25% of the low income cut-offs as set by the Government of Canada.

This chart shows the maximum household income to qualify for the Access Program. You will receive either 100% coverage or 50% coverage for program fees if you meet these values. Values are updated each year in February.

Maximum household incomes to qualify
Family size	Household annual income (100 per cent coverage) before tax	Household annual income (50 per cent coverage) before tax
1	$26,290	$32,862
2	$32,727	$40,909
3	$40,234	$50,293
4	$48,851	$61,063
5	$55,404	$69,255
6	$62,488	$78,110
7 or more	$69,571	$86,964

Benefits

Our Recreation Fee Assistance Policy outlines the program details and benefits. Contact us if you would like an accessible version. It states:

You can register children ages 0 to 14 in one program or membership per child, per session, up to a maximum of $125 per fall, winter or spring session, and $225 per summer session.
You can register participants ages 14 and up for one program or membership per person, per session, up to a maximum of $150 per session.
Participants ages 55 and up will have the 55+ Recreation Services Membership included when approved for our Access Program.

Canadian Tire Jumpstart

The Town of Whitby is a proud ambassador of the Canadian Tire Jumpstart program. The Canadian Tire Jumpstart program provides financial assistance to families to enroll their kids into a sport or physical activity. You do not need to be approved for the Access Program to apply for Canadian Tire Jumpstart funding.

Apply online for a Canadian Tire Jumpstart individual child grant.

To learn more, visit the Canadian Tire Jumpstart website.

Region of Durham Recreation Program Cards

If you receive Ontario Works, speak to your caseworker to request a Recreation Program Card. The cards grant access to the same programs and memberships included with our Access Program. Some exceptions may apply. Contact the Region of Durham for more information.

Advancing Access to Affordable Recreation in Durham

We work with community partners to increase access to recreation programs for low income residents. We are part of the Advancing Access to Affordable Recreation in Durham (AAARD) Committee, whose members are committed to this goal.