Sabrina Gamrot The Star Fri., June 10, 2022
A recreation program from the City of Mississauga has been expanded to include Ukrainians without refugee documentation.
The ActiveAssist program gives low-income residents and newcomers with refugee status access to city-run recreation and cultural programs with a $275 credit.
Now, the city has updated the program to provide Ukrainians who have been issued a visa under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, the ability to apply, essentially meaning Ukrainians without refugee documentations can still be included.
Usually only residents with a Refugee Protection Claimant Document could apply to the program.
“We have updated our ActiveAssist policy to ensure that any Ukrainian who has been issued the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel visa will now have the ability to apply to the program,” said Jodi Robillos, commissioner of community services, in a release.
The $275 credit provided by the program can be used for recreational, cultural and library programs and activities, such as swimming or fitness classes.
Eligibility for the program is based on economic need, according to the city, where families or individuals living in Mississauga who are unable to pay for such programs can enjoy them for free.
Those who apply to the program will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis. The credit lasts for one full-year.
Applications can be registered online or at any local community centre.