PAL Card

The Personal Attendant for Leisure (PAL) Card is an identification card for a person with a disability that allows a support person to enter a recreation facility for free. A support person can be a friend, family member or a paid worker. To be eligible one must be:

• a person with disability as defined by the Ontarians with a Disability Act,
• five years of age or older and,
• is a resident of the City of Thunder Bay or the surrounding areas of Fort William First Nation, Gorham and Jacques (Lappe, East Gorham), Kaministiquia, Nolalu (Lybster), Gilles, Neebing, O’Connor, Dorion, Shuniah , Conmee and Oliver Paipoonge. 

Apply for your card

• Fill out the PAL Card application form, email PALcard@thunderbay.ca for PDF or pick up a printed copy at the Canada Games Complex.
• Two references from the disability community are needed. They could be a support worker, doctor, nurse, SSP, teacher, health professionals, Occupation Therapist, Recreation Therapist, a staff of an agency (CNIB, Autism Ontario) etc. They cannot be a family member.
• Once your PAL Card application is approved, you will be asked to email us a picture. You can email us picture using the contact information below, PALcard@thunderbay.ca or have a picture taken at the Canada Games Complex. You can also email us the picture at the same time as the application, to help speed up the process. 
• The picture needs to be a headshot with your face visible on a clean background with no hat or sunglasses.
• Please note that the length of time it takes to complete a PAL Card Application depends on a couple factors. Including how long it takes to get a hold of your references. If all this information is given in a timely matter the process should take about 2 weeks.
• If mailing our dropping off a completed application please do so to the Canada Games Complex, Attention: PAL Card.

***Please note that the fax number listed on the PAL Card application for those under 18 is currently not working. If faxing an application, please fax all applications to 807-345-4520. 

Who can apply?

• A person with a disability 
• A parent or spouse of someone with a disability
• An agency can apply on behalf of the person

I lost my card and need a replacement!

No need to re-apply; just send the following information to palcard@thunderbay.ca. Note you may be asked to pay a $4 replacement fee.

• PAL card holders name
• Address (street, city, postal code)
• Attach a new photo (headshot)
• Optional: Let use know if you'd like it mailed or if you'd like to pick it up from the Canada Games Complex (420 Winnipeg Ave). 

Where can I use my PAL Card?

The PAL Card is accepted at many recreation facilities in Thunder Bay. These include:

• Entrance to Recreation and Culture facilities that have an admission fee,
• Fort William Historical Park,
• Gyms,
• Swimming pools,
• Sports facilities and more!

Please note that PAL cards are not supported by Thunder Bay Transit and LIFT. Consult transit directly to access their support person program.

See below for more facilities and specifics on what usage looks like at each facility.