Financial Assistance supports active lifestyles and healthy communities by offering inclusive recreation programs and services at a reduced cost for individuals. If your financial circumstances make it difficult for you to pay the full fee for programs, you might qualify for financial assistance.
Recipients receive:
- A One City Pass, valid for the approved calendar year for each eligible applicant
- An optional scholarship of $200 for each approved adult and $500 for each approved child/youth (0-18 years)
- When using the scholarship money, a 75% discount is applied to the registered program fee. The approved applicant pays the remaining 25%.
Eligibility
To qualify, you must:
- Be a Port Coquitlam resident
- Meet the income criteria based on LICO (low income cut-off) OR
- Have a referral from a Community Partner/Adjudicator
If you would like to speak with someone about your eligibility, please email [email protected].
Apply
We’ve made applying for financial assistance easier than ever with our new online application form. It's fast, convenient, and paper-free!
Prefer to apply via in-person drop-off, mail, or email? See documents and instructions below.
1: Download and complete the Financial Assistance for Recreation Application Form.
Download Financial Assistance for Recreation Application Form [PDF/331KB]
2: Provide proof of Port Coquitlam residency
- We require a bill within the past 90 days that shows your name and Port Coquitlam address to verify your proof of residency. Examples include: Home utility bill, such as cable, gas, hydro, internet. We may request additional supporting documentation of residency.
3: Provide verification of financial circumstances through either:
- ‘Proof of Income Statement’ from Canada Revenue Agency, that demonstrates the family income falls within qualifying income levels determined by the Government of Canada’s Low-Income Cut-Off Scale OR
- The Community Partner Reference Form completed by a Community Organization or adjudicator that verifies the applicant’s low-income financial circumstances.
Proof of Income Statement Example
Download Community Partner Reference Form [PDF/212KB]
Submit all three documents via:
- Email: [email protected] OR
- Mail/Drop off:
- Port Coquitlam Community Centre
Attention: Recreation Administration
2150 Wilson Avenue
Port Coquitlam, BC V3C 6J5 - Hyde Creek Recreation Centre
Attention: Recreation Administration
1379 Laurier Avenue
Port Coquitlam, BC V3B 2B9
- Port Coquitlam Community Centre
Frequently Asked Questions
The City of Port Coquitlam’s Financial Assistance program supports active lifestyles and healthy communities by offering inclusive recreation programs and services at a reduced cost for individuals.
If your financial circumstances make it difficult for you to pay the full fee for programs, you might qualify for financial assistance.
If you qualify, you will receive:
- One City Pass for each eligible applicant
- Optional scholarship to subsidize registered recreation program fees
To qualify, you must:
- Be a Port Coquitlam resident
- Meet the income criteria based on LICO (low income cut-off) or
- Have a referral from a Community Partner/Adjudicator
If you would like to speak with someone about your eligibility, please email [email protected].
- Complete the Financial Assistance Application.
- Complete it online.
- Complete the downloadable form [PDF/331KB].
- Proof of Port Coquitlam residency.
- We require a bill within the past 90 days that shows your name and Port Coquitlam address to verify your proof of residency. Examples include: Home utility bill (cable, gas, hydro, internet) or car insurance.
- Verification of financial circumstances for all household members over the age of 19. Verification options include:
- ‘Proof of Income Statement’ from Canada Revenue Agency, that demonstrates the family income falls within qualifying income levels determined by the Government of Canada’s Low-Income Cut-Off Scale OR
- If unable to provide Proof of Income Statement from Canada Revenue Agency, download and submit the Community Partner Reference Form [PDF/212KB] completed by a Community Organization or adjudicator that verifies the applicant’s low-income financial circumstances.
We require a bill within the past 90 days that shows your name and Port Coquitlam address to verify your proof of residency.
Examples include:
- Home utility bill (cable, gas, hydro, internet, landline)
- Car insurance
We may request additional supporting documentation of residency.
Check the Low-Income Cut-offs (LICO) table to determine if you qualify. If you do, then you can get a Proof of Income Statement in the following ways:
- Online: Get a Proof of Income Statement from the Canada Revenue Services Agency website in ‘My Account’. Go to ‘Tax Returns’ tab, then ‘Proof of Income Statement’ on the right-hand side.
- Order through MyCRA web app
- By mail: Call 1-800-267-6999 This method may take up to 10 days to receive by mail
- Automated phone line is always open and a statement will be mailed. You will need to verify your identity when you call. Visit Get a proof of income statement - Canada.ca to find out what you will need to verify your identity with CRA.
From January – end of May 2026, individuals can submit 2025 Proof of Income Statement. From June – December 2026, individuals will need to submit 2026 Proof of Income Statement.
*Notice of assessment (NOA), T1 General or T4 statement and other documents CANNOT be used to replace the Proof of Income Statement.
Total Family Income means total combined income, before taxes, by all family members who contribute to the household income and expenses.
Family is defined as, maximum 2 adults, and children (0 – 18) or identified dependents residing in the same household. Please submit Proof of Income Statements for all adult members of the family who contribute to the household. Eligibility is based on Total Family Income.
The City uses Statistics Canada’s Low-Income Cut-offs (LICO) as one way to verify financial circumstance eligibility. Total income before tax (gross income) must fall within the LICO table provided by Statistics Canada. The use of LICO aligns with current practices among Lower Mainland municipalities.
The Low Income Cut Off (LICO) is a measure of low income constructed by Statistics Canada. Individuals who fall below the LICO threshold typically allocate a much larger share of their income to the basic necessities of food, shelter and clothing; therefore, may not have the financial means to access recreation services and programs.
Qualifying Gross Income Levels (Before Tax Amount based on Statistics Canada 2024 LICO Scale)
# of People in Family | Yearly Income |
|---|---|
1 person | $31,264 or less |
2 people | $38,922 or less |
3 people | $47,851 or less |
4 people | $58,096 or less |
5 people | $65,892 or less |
6 people | $74,315 or less |
7 people or more | $82,739 or less |
Community Partner Organizations or adjudicators are a way for applicants to verify financial circumstance eligibility. This option provides greater flexibility to confirm financial status and utilizes the service provider’s relationship and knowledge of their client’s circumstances. This option can also address language, transportation, and technology barriers of applicants. The Community Partner organization/adjudicator completes the Community Partner Reference Form and submits the form along with: Financial Assistance for Recreation Application Form & Proof of Residency on the applicant’s behalf or return the form to the applicant so they can include as part of their application documentation.
A Community Partner Organization is a local service provider that supports individuals and families, such as a community health-agency, local school or government organization to verify applicant’s financial circumstances. Some examples include:
- SHARE Family & Community Services Society
- School District 43 (Counsellor, Principal, Teacher)
- Tri-Cities Mental Health
- SUCCESS
- Ministry of Children and Family Development
- Kinsight
- Immigrant Services Society of BC (ISS of BC)
- Community Living BC
An adjudicator is an impartial person that you have a professional relationship with who is familiar with your financial situation and can sign the document to verify your financial circumstances meet low-income standards. Some examples include:
- family doctor
- school principal or teacher
- counsellor
- lawyer
- professional in social work or family services
- financial case worker
- church clergy/pastor/minister/imam/rabbi etc.
- accountant
An adjudicator is NOT a friend or family member.
Additional City Programs
The City of Port Coquitlam believes in providing inclusive recreation programs and services to all ages, abilities, and income levels in order to support active lifestyles and healthy communities.
The Community Organization Recreation Pass Program supports registered non-profit residential care/rehabilitation organizations or community health-based agencies who are facilitating access to recreational activities on behalf of their clients. This program provides the organization with free passes for their clients to attend drop in activities.
Community organizations can also support their client’s enrollment into the Individual Financial Assistance Program, which provides expanded benefits and discounts to accessing Recreation.
To inquire about Community Organization Recreation Passes, please email [email protected] or call 604-927-5371.
From June through September, the annual Port Coquitlam’s Farmers Market provides fresh food and produce to community residents. The City of Port Coquitlam and the Wilson Seniors Advisory Board support the Farmers Market Coupon Program which provides weekly coupons to eligible Port Coquitlam residents.
Coupon applications are now closed for 2025.
The City of Port Coquitlam prioritizes affordable access to recreation by providing a variety of free and low-cost programming for everyone to enjoy, including:
- Toonie (two dollar) skates
- Youth Skate $3 includes rentals and admission
- Free drop-in admission at our outdoor pools
- Free access to outdoor gym equipment
- Free/low cost Art and Culture activities
- Free City events
- Little Libraries
- Free/low cost senior social recreation
- Youth social recreation opportunities.
Visit Recreation for up to date information on the activities we offer.
Community Resources
Canadian Tire Jumpstart is a national charitable program that helps kids (ages 4-18), experiencing socioeconomic barriers, participate in organized sport and recreation by providing funding for registration and equipment.
Apply directly at: visit jumpstart.canadiantire.ca.
Once approved, email your confirmation letter to [email protected] and we will add the scholarship to your account.
KidSport provides grants to help cover the costs of sport registration fees up to $500/child/year for children 18 years and under in the Tri-Cities.
To apply for a grant or more information, visit KidSport Tri-Cities.