Question Period Note: Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples

N.A.

• Indigenous Peoples in urban centres face unique needs and challenges.
• The Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples program supports Indigenous Friendship Centres across the country to provide holistic and culturally-appropriate programs and services to status and non-status First Nations, Inuit, and Métis.
• Budget 2024 provided $60 million over two years, starting in
2024-2025, to support Friendship Centres.
• This investment reflects the Government of Canada’s commitment to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act to continue to support Friendship Centres.

The population of Indigenous Peoples living in urban centres (defined as a population of 1,000 people or more and a population density of 400 persons or more per square kilometer) includes peoples from all distinctions (First Nations (Status and Non-Status), Inuit and Métis) and is expected to remain one of the fastest growing segments within Canada, with a 9.4% increase in population from 2016 to 2021.

The Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples (UPIP) program was created in 2017 and was designed to achieve greater collaboration across all levels of government, Indigenous communities, private and not-for-profit sectors to leverage resources and maximize strategic investments. UPIP is ISC’s only Program that specifically focuses on Indigenous Peoples living in, transitioning to, or accessing services in urban centres.

Recent Investments in UPIP

• Budget 2024 provided $60 million over two years for Friendship Centres.
• Through the Budget 2025 process, the Government of Canada has decided to provide $33.6 million in 2025-2026 to ISC to renew program funding for UPIP, with no new funding being provided to support infrastructure or for program integrity.

Changes in UPIP Funding
• In 2025-2026 and ongoing, the focus of UPIP funding is shifting to direct service delivery providers – specifically, the Friendship Centre Movement, via the National Association of Friendship Centres and Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres – the two largest and furthest-reaching organizations, which constitute the only pan Canadian Indigenous network serving urban Indigenous Peoples.
• The Friendship Centre Movement is Canada’s most significant national network of self-determined Indigenous owned and operated civil society community hubs offering programs, services and support to Indigenous people living in urban, off reserve, and outside of community settings.
• Friendship Centres collectively generate millions of points of contact annually, supporting thousands of people every day from coast to coast; they strengthen connection to culture while addressing contemporary urban realities, fostering spaces where Indigenous identity, community, and wellbeing can thrive.
• Funding recipients other than the National Association of Friendship Centres and Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres will be informed that their funding will cease in September 2025.
• These organizations include self-governing nations, Inuit and Métis organizations, Congress of Aboriginal Peoples’ affiliates, and other well-known service providers.
• Non-friendship centre recipients will receive the full 2024 2025 amount in 2025-2026 to allow for additional time to seek other sources of funding or close out programming.

If pressed on funding for Friendship Centres:
• Friendship Centres provide much-needed supports and services to members of their communities across a range of areas including health, housing, education, emergency management, recreation, language, justice, employment, economic development, culture, and community wellness.
• These organizations strengthen connection to culture while addressing contemporary urban realities, and fostering spaces where Indigenous identity, community, and wellbeing can thrive.
• Budget 2024 investments will help ensure that Friendship Centres support the local needs and priorities of urban, off reserve, and outside of community Indigenous peoples in a manner that is safe, secure, accessible, and culturally-relevant.
• Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples provided over $70 million in 2024-2025 to the network of 130 Friendship Centres across Canada.‎ If pressed on Future Funding to Non-Friendship Centres
• To strengthen supports for urban Indigenous Peoples, the focus of the Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples program is shifting to a new streamlined funding distribution model that supports direct service delivery providers, specifically, the Friendship Centre Movement.

• Beyond 2025-2026, the National Association of Friendship Centres and Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres will be the sole recipients of funding from the Program.
• These are the two largest, furthest-reaching organizations, constituting the only pan Canadian Indigenous network serving urban Indigenous Peoples. They provide direct and on-the-ground program and services directly to Indigenous people.