NAFC says federal budget omits Friendship Centres and leaves Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples (UPIP) without renewal path ahead of 2026 sunset

By NetNewsLedger Staff
Category: Indigenous News | National

OTTAWA — The National Association of Friendship Centres (NAFC) says Budget 2025 misses a critical chance to support urban Indigenous communities, warning the omission of dedicated funding puts core services—and jobs—at risk across more than 100 Friendship Centres and Provincial/Territorial Associations.

“Quite simply, this budget does not meet our expectations,” said Jocelyn W. Formsma, NAFC CEO. “For all the ways we contribute, we believed this government would enhance supports for Friendship Centres as promised—it is not in this budget.”

What’s at risk

Friendship Centres deliver culturally grounded programs that reach over one million people annually, including employment and training, housing supports, food security, childcare, youth programming, and mental health. NAFC warns that without long-term, sustainable funding, centres already stretched by rising demand may face program cuts, layoffs, or closures.

UPIP sunset in 2026, silence in 2025 budget

NAFC highlights that the Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples (UPIP)—the core funding stream for Friendship Centres—expires in 2026.

Budget 2025 provides no indication of renewal, creating uncertainty for frontline services that have repeatedly stepped up during COVID-19, extreme weather, and wildfires.

“Urban Indigenous people have been left out of this budget,” said Pam Glode-Desrochers, NAFC Board President. “With UPIP set to expire, this silence sends a devastating message. When Friendship Centres scale back, families lose food programs, youth lose mentors, and people risk access to housing supports.”

Call to action

NAFC is urging the federal government to immediately engage with the Friendship Centre Movement and commit to long-term, sustainable funding to protect urban Indigenous services and uphold Reconciliation commitments.