Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring forward a petition on behalf of Canadians who are calling for enhanced support for friendship centres. The petitioners highlight that friendship centres are vital community hubs that provide culturally appropriate services in health, education, housing, employment and youth programming. The petitioners note that governments have increasingly relied on these centres to respond to socio-economic conditions, climate emergencies and the toxic drug crisis, yet federal funding has not kept pace with inflation or the real cost of services since 2005.
The petitioners therefore call on the Government of Canada to provide enhanced, stable and predictable funding; invest in the modernization of facilities; and fully recognize the critical role that friendship centres play in reconciliation and in supporting indigenous peoples across urban, rural and remote communities.