Investments in social infrastructure are crucial in supporting the growing population of Indigenous Peoples living in or moving to urban centres. Friendship Centres continue to play a major role in ensuring First Nations, Inuit and Métis people have access to high-quality and culturally relevant services and programs.
Since 1983, the First Light Friendship Centre has supported Indigenous peoples living in St. John's through their programs and services centred around revitalizing, strengthening and celebrating Indigenous cultures and languages. As the population continues to grow, the organization needs more physical space and to expand program and service delivery to the community members they serve.
Today, the federal government announced $9.9 million in joint federal funding to support extensive renovations to the First Light Friendship Centre. This announcement was made by the Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr., Minister of Labour and Member of Parliament for St. John's South-Mount Pearl, joined by Joanne Thompson, Member of Parliament for St. John's East, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Indigenous Services, and the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.
This new funding will specifically support extensive renovations of the First Light Friendship Centre's existing structure at 40 Quidi Vidi Road for use by the Indigenous community in St. John's, and non-Indigenous residents in the surrounding neighbourhood.
Through the urban component of the Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund, Indigenous Services Canada is providing $9.4 million for this crucial project. The urban component of this fund is designed to support and invest in the immediate infrastructure needs of Indigenous communities for ongoing, new and shovel-ready projects. In addition, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund, is providing a $497,250 to support the construction of a pedestrian accessibility bridge that will provide access for all community members from the parking lot to the elevator and second floor of the facility. The Canada Community Revitalization Fund, launched in June 2021, provided $500 million over two years to Canada's regional development agencies to invest in shared and inclusive public spaces to stimulate local economies, create jobs, and improve the quality of life for people in Canada.
