Leisure Involvement For Everyone (L.I.F.E.)
The Saanich L.I.F.E. program assists individuals and families living on a low income to access recreation services and programs at our recreation centres.
- Benefits
- Eligibility
- How to Apply – Required Documentation
- What’s Next – How do I use my pass and discounts
- Other Information
- Other Funding Sources
Benefits
What does the LIFE program provide for approved clients? After your application has been approved you can select from one of three options:
Option 1: Free Drop Ins and Discounts52x free drop in sessions at any participating greater Victoria Regional Recreation Centres (including recreation centres at the municipalities of Panorama, West Shore, Saanich, City of Victoria, Oak Bay, Esquimalt and SEAPARC) with the following additional discounts:
Note: while the 52x drop ins are eligible at all participating Greater Victoria Recreation Centres the below noted discounts are only eligible at Saanich Recreation Facilities (Cedar Hill Recreation Centre, Gordon Head Recreation Centre, G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre and Saanich Commonwealth Place)
- Adult: 4 coupons for 50% off to a maximum of $50 each on registered programs or memberships and a free weight room orientation
- Adult 60+yrs: 4 coupons for 50% off to a maximum of $50 each on registered programs or memberships, a free weight room orientation and 4 free months of the Cedar Hill Social Fridays. Adults 60+ also receive a free annual membership to one of the following Older Adult Centres; Silver Threads Les Passmore Centre, Cordova Bay 55+ Association or Goward House Society.
- Youth (13-18yrs): 4 coupons for 50% off to a maximum of $50 each on registered programs or memberships, ONE free weight room orientation, ONE free week of Breakout Adventures Camp, ONE 50% off any youth registered program and ONE 50% off to any youth event or workshop
- Child (0-12yrs): 4 coupons for 50% off to a maximum of $50 each on registered programs or memberships, ONE free week of SNPP or Breakout Adventures Summer Camp
- All: If you qualify for LIFE you may also be eligible for one of the following: Free BC Hydro Energy Savings Kit or the Energy Conservation Assistance Program.
Option 2: 50% off Saanich Recreation Pass
Purchase a Saanich Annual Pass valid for one year from date of purchase at 50% off the regular price. Valid at Saanich Recreation Centres only.
Option 3: 50% off Regional Recreation Pass
Purchase an Annual Regional Pass valid for one year from date of purchase at 50% off regular price. Valid at all participating Greater Victoria Recreation Centres.
Eligibility
NEW! Full Time Post Secondary Students are now eligible.
You are eligible for the LIFE program based on your circumstances. Most clients fall under general eligibility where they are approved based on their proof of income shown by their most recent Notice of Assessment. There are other forms of eligibility based on other scenarios. Requirements for eligibility differs based on the scenario. Each form of eligibility is outlined below.
General Eligibility: Proof of Income through most recent Notice of Assessment (NOA) You may be eligible for the LIFE program if you are a Saanich Resident whose individual or family combined total gross income falls at or below the low-income thresholds determined annually. Thresholds are relative to household size, and based on Statistics Canada's Low-Income thresholds, with an additional 5% added to account for regional cost of living. To qualify for the LIFE Program, gross income must be at or below the below noted thresholds.
Note: If the income on your NOA shows $0 you will need to provide reasoning or supporting documents for this level of income.
Total gross income can be described below in the other information section. If any of these income sources would change the amount on your NOA and raise it, you are required to disclose that information.
| # in family |
Income Threshold |
# in family |
Income Threshold |
| 1 | 27,219 |
4 |
54,438 |
| 2 | 38,493 | 5 | 60,864 |
| 3 | 47,145 | 6 | 66,674 |
| 7 or more 72,016 | |||
Other Forms of Eligibility
- Your Notice of Assessment does not accurately reflect your current income level due to an experience such as an illness or job loss.
- You are a Refugee or arrived under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) in the last year.
- You are a youth in the care of the Ministry of Family and Child Development.
- You are a youth in a local school who does not have parental/guardian support to apply.
- If you do not fall under any of the above but still require aid you can contact the financial assistance programmer directly at financialassistance@saanich.ca to discuss.
How to Apply - Required Documentation
Saanich does not require an application form for the LIFE program, but we do require proof of income or acceptable alternative as described below and proof of Saanich residency. The documentation required is based on the eligibility scenario you fit into.
General Eligibility Documentation: Proof of Income through most recent Notice of Assessment (NOA)
If you fall under the General Eligibility guidelines above the following documentation is required. Bring all required documentation to any Saanich Recreation Centre. They will be used for visual confirmation only, no copies are retained.
- Proof of Saanich Residency: you will need to provide one of the following options showing your current Saanich address: a current utility bill or phone bill dated within the last 3 months, a valid driver’s license or BCID or current rental agreement . If you are not a resident of Saanich you must apply in the municipality you are a resident in. Click Here for more information
- Proof of Income: 2022 Notice of Assessment for anyone over the age of 18 in the applying family. Refer to line 15000 on your Notice of Assessment for the amount used to calculate the income threshold.
NOA: - Notice of Assessment for each person contributing to the household. Get a copy of your notice of assessment or reassessment here.
Other Forms of Documentation
If you fall under the Other Forms of Eligibility guidelines above the following documentation is required. Proof of residency can be a current utility bill in the last 3 months or a current rental agreement.
- Your Notice of Assessment does not accurately reflect your current income level due to an experience such as an illness or job loss.
- Have an Adjudicator Form filled out by a supporting organization or person as described on the form. Bring the completed form, along with your proof of residency to any Saanich Recreation Centre.
2. You are a Refugee or arrived under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) in the last year.
- Bring your landing papers along with your proof of Saanich residency to any Saanich Recreation Centre. Note: if you are staying with a host family, your proof of residency can be in the host family’s name.
3. You are a youth in the care of the Ministry of Family and Child Development.
- Have your social worker fill out the Support Worker LIFE Application Form (link to doc) and fax (250-475-5411) or email it directly to financialassistance@saanich.ca
4. You are a youth in a local school who does not have parental/guardian support to apply.
- Have a school administrator, teacher or councilor fill out the Youth Application form and fax (250-475-5411) or email it directly to financialassistance@saanich.ca
Other Greater Victoria Municipal Applications
You must apply for the LIFE program in the Municipality you are a resident in. Click on your municipalities link below to be taken to their LIFE application process information. If you are unsure which municipality you reside in you can go to the CRD map viewer and enter your address in the search bar in the upper right and it will pinpoint your municipality for you.
- City of Victoria
- Esquimalt Recreation
- Oak Bay Recreation
- Panorama Recreation (includes Central Saanich, North Saanich, Sidney and the four W̱SÁNEĆ communities of Tseycum, Pauqauachin, Tsartlip and Tsawout)
- SEAPARC Recreation (includes Sooke and Juan de Fuca Electoral Area)
- West Shore Recreation (includes Colwood, Langford, Highlands, Metchosin and View Royal)
What’s Next – How do I use my pass and discounts?
- After you have been approved, you’ve selected your benefit option and you have your Access Card you are able to begin use right away.
- Please show your pass at reception when visiting either a Saanich Recreation Centre or a participating Regional Recreation Centre for a drop-in program. We will mark a visit off your pass.
- If you are registering online for a reserved drop-in program you can register online and your discount will automatically be used.
- If you selected Option A and wish to use one of your registered program discounts you will need to register for your activity in person or over the phone.
- If you are an adult 60+ you will be given a card to present to the Older Adult Centre you choose from the listed for your free membership.
- Each family will be given an envelope with information on Energy Savings and how to make use of them and apply.
Other Information?
- Your pass is valid for one year from January 1 to Dec 31.
- Passes and discounts are non transferable and have no cash value
- There is a $10 fee to replace a lost pass
- Can I reapply if I get denied?
If you were denied because you could not meet requirements, you can reapply if your financial situation changes and requirements can be met and proven through documentation. - What is total gross family income
- Total Family Income means total combined income, before taxes, by all family members in Canada and abroad who contribute to the household income and expenses
- This includes income from: employment of all types, all investments, pensions, child support payments, foster child support payments, rental revenues, funds in trust, disability benefits, worker’s compensation, foreign investments and income and benefits or pension and other financial sources
Other Funding Sources
Canadian Tire Jumpstart
Canadian Tire Jumpstart is a national charitable program with the goal of allowing all kids a chance to recreate and connect with their communities. This program helps kids (ages 4-18) with socioeconomic barriers participate in organized sport and recreation by providing funding for registration and equipment.
Canadian Tire Jumpstart has recently changed their grant process. Parents and/or guardians are now required to apply directly to Canadian Tire Jumpstart with verifying documentation. To learn about the process and to apply, visit jumpstart.canadiantire.ca.
Once approved, email your confirmation letter to financialassistance@saanich.ca and indicate which activity or membership you would like the grant money to be applied to. Please note as processing times may vary and space is limited in registered activities, families are encouraged to apply for Jumpstart funding without delay.
KidsFUNd
KidsFUNd, is an internal grant source through Saanich Parks, 
Recreation and Community Services available to support children 3 to 18 years. KidsFUNd grants support recreation fees for Saanich Recreation services only.
Click here to find out more information.
