Tony Martin Recognizes Sault Indian Friendship Centre in House of Commons

OTTAWA – In a House of Commons statement today profiling the good work and lack of funding for Friendship Centres across Canada, Sault MP Tony Martin paid tribute to the Indian Friendship Centre in Sault Ste. Marie.
 
“The Indian Friendship Centre in Sault Ste. Marie has grown by 50 per cent in the last 3 years,” Martin said. “It offers valuable programs for employment, healing, prevention, youth, families, nutrition, court, and much more. The Sault Centre needs funding to match its growth. There’s been no increase in funding since 1996.  Nothing for inflation, population growth, or changing demands.”

Following the news reports on his statement, Martin received a note of thanks from Elizabeth Edgar of the Indian Friendship Centre: I want to thank you for your advocacy on behalf of our Friendship Centre staff and board, the clients we serve and the urban aboriginal community.  We are absolutely thrilled and honored to know that you presented our story.
 
Here is Martin’s entire statement:
“Mr. Speaker, the National Association of Friendship Centres today profiles the good work that Friendship Centres do from coast-to-coast-to-coast, and the need for an increase in their budgets.
 
“Friendship Centres are Canada’s largest Aboriginal service delivery infrastructure. They deliver effective, accountable programs and services to First Nations, Metis and Inuit people regardless of status or location.  When it comes to urban Aboriginal peoples, no other organization, program, or policy has as much impact as Friendship Centres.
 
“The Indian Friendship Centre in Sault Ste. Marie has grown by 50 per cent in the last 3 years. It offers valuable programs for employment, healing, prevention, youth, families, nutrition, court, and much more. The Sault Centre needs funding to match its growth. There’s been no increase in funding since 1996.  Nothing for inflation, population growth, or changing demands.  I join with my colleagues on both sides of this House in calling on this Government to include additional funding for Friendship Centres in next year’s Budget.”