Urban Indigenous funding cutbacks threaten ‘backbone’ of Friendship Centre services, says Ontario federation head

Program money for urban Indigenous communities is set to expire at the end of the month, and expected cuts of more than 50 per cent to renewed funding will 'result in the loss of life,' says NDP MP Leah Gazan.

Indigenous Services Minister Mandy Gull-Masty, centre, says the renewal for the Urban Programming for Indigenous People funding will be finalized 'in the next few short weeks.'The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade

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BY STUART BENSON

March 4, 2026

Despite the minister of Indigenous services vowing “stability” and continuity, First Nations Friendship Centres are bracing for federal support to be cut by more than half, leaving their critical "life-saving" services in a “precarious position” with less than a mont...

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