National Association of Friendship Centres Calls for Budget 2026 to Be a Turning Point for Urban Indigenous Communities

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OTTAWA, Ontario, Sept. 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) is calling on the Government of Canada to make Budget 2026 a transformative moment for urban Indigenous communities by building on recent federal investments and scaling support through the Friendship Centre network.

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In a letter submitted to the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance, the NAFC welcomed the federal government’s recent commitment of $168 million over five years through Indigenous Services Canada. This funding represents an important step toward stabilizing the operational foundation of Friendship Centres and recognizing their essential role in delivering culturally grounded services to Indigenous Peoples living in urban areas.

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“Friendship Centres are one of the most effective Indigenous service delivery networks in the country,” said Pam Glode-Desrochers, President of the NAFC. “With over 100 Friendship Centres serving nearly one million people each year, we are on the front lines, supporting not only Indigenous communities but anyone who comes through our doors seeking help. Budget 2026 is an opportunity to build on this momentum and invest where it will have the greatest impact.”

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As nearly 80% of Indigenous Peoples in Canada now live in urban communities, the NAFC is urging the federal government to take a targeted approach to new investments by working through the Friendship Centre network. The NAFC’s recommendations focus on expanding support across key federal priorities, including housing and infrastructure, employment and skills development, gender-based violence prevention, emergency response and preparedness, and Indigenous-led artificial intelligence and data capacity.

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“Friendship Centres deliver more than social services, they provide the foundation for workforce participation and community wellbeing,” said Jennifer Rankin, Chief Executive Officer of the NAFC. “Investing through our network is a proven, cost-effective way to reduce barriers to employment, improve labour force participation, and lower downstream costs in healthcare, justice, and emergency systems.”

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The NAFC is specifically calling for the creation of dedicated Friendship Centre delivery streams within federal housing, infrastructure, and employment programming, sustained multi-year investments to address gender-based violence and support survivors, permanent funding to recognize the role of Friendship Centres in emergency response including during wildfire evacuations, and targeted investments in Indigenous-led digital infrastructure to support data sovereignty and modernize service delivery.

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Friendship Centres continue to play a critical role in supporting communities during times of crisis, often stepping in to deliver essential services that are otherwise underfunded. By directing investments through this established, Indigenous-led network, the federal government has an opportunity to deliver measurable outcomes that advance economic participation, public safety, and reconciliation.

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The NAFC looks forward to working in partnership with the federal government to ensure Budget 2026 delivers meaningful and lasting impacts for urban Indigenous Peoples across Canada.