Indigenous Peoples living in, or transitioning to, urban centres are one of the fastest growing populations in Canada. Toronto alone is home to nearly 80,000 Indigenous Peoples. Ontario ranks 1st most populous in terms of Indigenous Peoples per province or territory across the country and 85.5% of Indigenous Peoples live in urban areas like Toronto.
Urban Indigenous service organizations play a crucial role in improving the quality of life of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples and ensure that they have safe and accessible spaces to access the delivery of high-quality culturally-relevant services.
The Toronto Aboriginal Support Services Council (TASSC) is one of the busiest urban Indigenous coalitions in Canada. As a not-for-profit research, policy, and advocacy organization, TASSC brings together 18 local Indigenous support services agencies to improve access to supports and services for Indigenous Peoples living in Canada's largest city.
TASSC unfortunately lost its office and meeting space in 2020 during the pandemic, and this has resulted in challenges to their operations and support for front line service organizations who rely on them.
Today, the Minister of Indigenous Services, Patty Hajdu, announced approximately a $2M investment to support TASSC to purchase and renovate a new office space. This funding was administered through the urban component of the Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund at Indigenous Services Canada.
It is envisioned that this Indigenous-owned and operated space will be shared by TASSC member agencies and the community members they serve in the Toronto area. TASSC's new home will provide a safe, accessible, and culturally appropriate space that will used by TASSC personnel and its member organizations for operations, meetings, programs and services, gatherings, ceremony, events, and other activities.
The Government of Canada's Indigenous Community Infrastructure Fund's urban component supports the infrastructure priorities identified by Indigenous partners and communities in urban centres. The Government of Canada and Indigenous communities are working in partnership to address critical infrastructure gaps and support economic, social and health outcomes.
Today's investment in TASSC highlights the Government of Canada's commitment to addressing the ongoing tragedy of missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People and the root causes of violence by responding to the National Inquiry's Calls for Justice. Investments such as this will help to ensure that all Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people are provided with safe, no-barrier, and meaningful spaces to access their cultures and languages in order to restore, reclaim, and revitalize their cultures and identities. It also supports priorities identified within the Federal Pathway and the National Action Plan to address violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people and respect the diversity of Indigenous Peoples in order to meet their unique needs, no matter where they live, including urban environments.
