Affordable Access

To qualify for the Recreation Connection program, the applicant must:

• Be a resident of Oakville (or eligible refugee).
• Have a total net individual or combined family income below LICO (Low Income Cut-Offs). See the maximum qualifying incomes below.
• Provide recent official documentation that shows total family net income using one or more of the following original statements/documents:
  • Notice of Assessment form (T451) – required for all family members over 18 years of age without dependents
  • Canada Child Tax Benefit Notice – required when the application includes dependents under 18 years of age
  • Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax Credit Notice
  • Ontario Child Care Supplement for Working Families Notice
  • Ontario Works (OW) Statement of Assistance
  • Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) Statement of Assistance
  • Community Organization Referral (from approved partners)

Refugees

Refugees are eligible to apply for Recreation Connection within the first year of receiving one of the following:

• Confirmation of Permanent Residency (received at airport for each individual)
• Government of Canada Permanent Resident Card
• Refugee Protection Claimant Document

And:

• Proof of residency in Oakville (recent utility bill, lease agreement, driver’s license, etc.)

Provided eligibility requirements are met, dependents over the age of 18 and living at home must apply separately as an individual.

Income verification is not required.

Maximum qualifying income (family size — current dollars)

• 1 person — $23,696
• 2 people — $29,498
• 3 people — $36,265
• 4 people — $44,031
• 5 people — $49,938
• 6 people — $56,323
• 7 people or more — $62,707

Subsidy available

The subsidy available through this program is $300 per person.

Recreation Connection subsidy applications can now be received in-person at Town of Oakville community centres and Town Hall. No appointments are necessary. Applications can be only be accepted during regular business hours, when our Customer Service desks are open.

You can also request a virtual review meeting by emailing affordableaccess@oakville.ca. Staff will respond within two business days. Accommodations for in-person meetings may be considered, as required. Virtual review meetings take approximately 15 minutes. Applicants must have copies of their eligibility documentation at the meeting. Do not email confidential information to staff.

All applicants are required to provide the documentation outlined in the Qualifications section.

Recreation and Culture staff will forward all eligible applications to Town Hall for processing. This will take approximately seven business days. A welcome letter will be provided with registration information.

Once the credit has been applied to your account, you will be able to register in programs of your choice.

Programs and services not eligible for fee assistance include:

• Library programs
• Facility rentals
• Community Connection programs
• Single admission (pay-as-you-go) passes
• Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts show tickets
• Material fees and concession items

Your individual credit cannot be transferred to other family members or individuals.

You have the option to either use the credit to cover the full program or membership cost or to pay a portion yourself using an accepted payment method. This can only be done when registering in person.

Credits have no real cash value. Any refunds from cancelled or withdrawn programs will be returned to your account as a credit. Any unused credits remaining at the end of your enrolment period cannot be carried over or transferred to another individual or family member or redeemed for cash.

You are eligible to reapply for the program once per year if you continue to meet all of the eligibility criteria. Applications can be made 30 days prior to the end of your current enrolment period.

Registration

If your application is successful, a credit will be placed on your Recreation and Culture account.

Subsidy clients should complete the new online form to use a subsidy for program registration. 

Visit our Registration Help page to learn how to register.

If you have questions, please email recreation@oakville.ca.

Payments and receipts

Full payment (including any outstanding balance on account) is required to complete your registration.

Duplicate receipts will only be issued upon request and are subject to a $10 administration fee plus applicable taxes.

An administration charge of $45 plus tax will be levied for all NSF cheques and returned payments.

A non-resident fee of $10 plus tax will be added per person, per course.

Pre-authorized Payment for Camps

Check the schedule payment box when you register online to pay 50 per cent up front for summer programs and simply confirm your pre-authorized payments for the balance. The remainder will be automatically deducted from your credit card in two equal payments on June 1 and July 1.

Questions? Contact registration staff at 905-815-2000.

Courtesy reminders

The Recreation and Culture department is pleased to provide an email reminder for registrants approximately one week prior to the start of their program.

These reminders will be sent to customers with email addresses on their recreation account. To benefit from this service, please ensure we have your current email address on file. You can set up and check your account online at any time.