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Welcome Policy

What is the Welcome Policy?

The City of Toronto's Welcome Policy (WP) is a fee subsidy program which provides access to free City-operated recreation programs for individuals and families living below the Low Income Cut-Off (LICO). Participation in recreation programs builds healthy residents and communities and enhances the quality of life for all residents. As a Welcome Policy member, you and your family can register to Toronto’s recreation programs free of cost and enjoy the benefits of a wide variety of recreation programs and services.

Who is elegible to join the Welcome Policy?

Torontonians with Family Incomes below the Low Income Cut-off (LICO) are eligible for Welcome Policy. The family applicant must be 18 years or older.

How do I apply for Welcome Policy Membership?

Call 3-1-1 to apply or fill out the Application form and mail the completed form along with photocopied supporting documents to: City of Toronto, Welcome Policy Application, 55 John Street, MAILROOM, Toronto, Ontario M5V 3C6. You can also fax your Welcome Policy application and supporting documents to 416-338-5046; please note that faxing is not a secure method of transmitting information. A TTY line is available at 416-338-3195 for callers who are hard of hearing. Torontonians receiving social assistance automatically apply for membership; talk to your caseworker about the Welcome Policy!

Welcome Policy memberships last one calendar year, from September 1st until August 31st and must be renewed each year. Once approved for the Welcome Policy membership you will receive a letter with a Family PIN and Client Number(s) for each family member, which allows them to register on line, through Touch Tone Phone or in person to recreation programs based on the course entitlements outlined in the Policy.

If you have your Family PIN and Client Numbers, you are ready to register:


Register Online

Welcome Policy Entitlement

Welcome Policy applications are assessed and approved each year. All Welcome Policy entitlement periods begin on September 1st and will expire on August 31st for the following year. Clients require proof of residency and proof of low income status such as the Notice of Assessment from Canada Revenue Agency received within the year or participation in Ontario Social Assisstance Programs. Clients must re-apply approximately 4-8 weeks prior to the expiration date. Entitlement to programs is based on age and season.

Preschool & Children (6 months - 12 years old)
Winter Spring Summer Fall
  • 1 Aquatic program or 3 month leisure swim pass or 10 visit punch card
  • 1 Non-Aquatic program (e.g. skating, dance, sports, social club)
  • 1 Camp session (March Break Camp or Ski Camp)
  • 1 Aquatic program or 3 month leisure swim pass or 10 visit punch card
  • 1 Non-Aquatic program (e.g. skating, dance, sports, social club)
  • 1 Camp session
  • 1 Aquatic program or 3 month leisure swim pass or 10 visit punch card
  • 1 Non-Aquatic program (may be substituted for 2 weeks of camp)
  • 1 Camp session - ONE 2-week camp session or TWO 1-week camp sessions
  • 1 Aquatic program or 3 month leisure swim pass or 10 visit punch card
  • 1 Non-Aquatic program (e.g. skating, dance, sports, social club - no substitution)
  • 1 Camp session (Holiday Camp)
Youth (13 - 24 years old)
Winter Spring Summer Fall
  • 1 Aquatic program or 3 month leisure swim pass or 10 visit punch card
  • 1 Non-Aquatic program or 3 month pass (e.g. fitness) or 10 visit punch card
  • 1 Camp session (March Break Camp or Ski Camp)
  • 1 Aquatic program or 3 month leisure swim pass or 10 visit punch card
  • 1 Non-Aquatic program or 3 month pass (e.g. fitness) or 10 visit punch card
  • 1 Camp session
  • 1 Aquatic program or 3 month leisure swim pass or 10 visit punch card
  • 1 Non-Aquatic program or 3 month pass (e.g. fitness) or 10 visit punch card (may be substitued for 2 weeks of camp)
  • 1 Camp session - ONE 2-week camp session or TWO 1-week camp sessions
  • 1 Aquatic program or 3 month leisure swim pass or 10 visit punch card
  • 1 Non-Aquatic program or 3 month pass (e.g. fitness) or 10 visit punch card
  • 1 Camp session (Holiday Camp)
Adults (25+ years old)
Winter, Spring, Summer & Fall
  • 1 program or 3 month pass (e.g. aquatic, fitness, etc.) or 10 visit punch card per session

Welcome Policy funding is allocated across the year to ensure the families using Welcome Policy have access to Recreation programs throughout the year. However, we may experience Welcome Policy budget limits if funds for the Welcome Policy are exceeded or are no longer available because the funds allocated for a particular season have been exhausted.