Photo: Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok
A Crisis Exacerbated by Inequity
Even before the trade dispute, urban Indigenous populations were disproportionately affected by the rising cost of living. A Statistics Canada survey revealed that nearly half of urban Indigenous respondents found it difficult or very difficult to meet basic financial needs in 2024. One in five expected to rely on community organizations for food – more than double the national average. These financial pressures are not only eroding housing, mental, and family stability, but also hope for the future.
Since the pandemic, Friendship Centres have seen a dramatic surge in demand for services – particularly in food security, housing and homelessness, and mental health supports. Alarmingly, it is now common for fully employed individuals to seek help because they are at risk of homelessness.
Friendship Centres: The Backbone of Urban Indigenous Communities
Nearly 90% of Indigenous people in Ontario live in cities, towns and rural areas. From Kenora to Niagara, our 31-member Friendship Centres are the backbone of these communities. They provide culturally grounded, wrap-around supports in areas such employment and training, health and mental health, housing and homelessness, child care, education, justice, long-term care, and much more. These services are not just essential – they are life-changing.
Yet despite their critical role, Friendship Centres remain chronically underfunded. Many lack the resources to cover operational costs, hire sufficient staff, expand successful programs, or make urgent repairs to aging facilities. Without immediate investment, their ability to meet growing community needs is at serious risk. And since Friendship Centres serve both Indigenous and non-Indigenous constituents of municipalities, significantly offsetting the cost of municipal social services, this is a shared risk.
Food Insecurity on the Rise
Friendship Centres in border towns are already reporting worsening food insecurity and Consumer Price Index (CPI) data confirms that grocery store prices are rising. During the pandemic, emergency funding enabled many centres to launch food programs, such as daily meal services, food pantries, and good food boxes. These programs continue today out of necessity, despite the absence of sustained government support.
One centre, which previously served neighbouring communities, has had to restrict its food program to local residents. Others are struggling to meet rising demand. Cross-border shopping by Americans, driven by price differences, is making it harder and more expensive for community members to source essentials like baby formula.
The Urgency of Local Food Systems
The trade dispute underscores the need to strengthen local food systems. Tariffs and disrupted supply chains are making imported food more expensive and less reliable. Programs like the OFIFC’s Traditional Foods and Harvesting Program—operating in four Friendship Centres—are more important than ever. These initiatives:
- Connect Indigenous communities to traditional food systems
- Reduce dependence on external food sources
- Uphold Indigenous rights to healthy, culturally appropriate, and sustainable food
Yet, the province has not confirmed funding renewal for this vital program.
Disproportionate Economic Impacts
The OFIFC’s early analysis of potential tariff impacts shows that:
- Urban Indigenous men face elevated risk of job loss due to their concentration in manufacturing and construction.
- Urban Indigenous women are vulnerable to layoffs in an era of potential austerity due to their concentration in public sector-dependent roles
- Those already at risk of homelessness face the most immediate and severe consequences.
All levels of government must collaborate to prioritize the creation of safe, dignified shelter options and permanent, affordable housing solutions.
Housing Solutions Led by Friendship Centres
Half of all member Friendship Centres currently provide or will soon offer housing and shelter services, either directly or as housing-based service providers. As of 2022, Friendship Centres are providing over 150 units of urban Indigenous housing across the province. These culturally based, community-driven housing programs are critical to addressing the homelessness crisis facing Indigenous peoples.
The Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO) has called for investments in community housing and municipal infrastructure as a way to stimulate the economy, preserve jobs, and ensure workers can live where their skills are needed. We are urging all levels of government to also do their part to invest in Friendship Centres – the infrastructure of urban Indigenous communities. And we are asking OMSSA members to use their influence and decision-making authority to help make this happen.
“Ontario’s cities and towns are home to nearly 90% of the province’s First Nations, Inuit & Métis peoples in the province,” says Sean Longboat Co-Executive Director of the Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres. “As economic pressures mount, we need all levels of government to stand with us and OMSSA to actively support and advocate for immediate and sustained investments in the Friendship Centre movement. Action today directly impacts the well-being of this and future generations within Ontario’s growing urban Indigenous community.”
Call to Action
Urban Indigenous communities are resilient – but they cannot face these challenges alone. Friendship Centres are doing everything they can, but they need reciprocal support.
The OFIFC urges all levels of government — including municipalities and OMSSA Members – to take the following steps within their capacity:
- Include the OFIFC and Friendship Centres in broader economic planning and recovery strategies
- Invest in the core funding of Friendship Centres
- Fund food security programs in Friendship Centres
- Invest in culture-based wraparound services that address urban Indigenous homelessness
- Invest in the Urban Indigenous Homeward Bound Program, which helps Indigenous women overcome barriers to education and employment, leading to intergenerational prosperity
