How will the potential loss of funding for reconciliation programs impact the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre?

The centre fears losing funding after the federal budget left key reconciliation programs without guaranteed money beyond spring 2026, which could impact hundreds of vulnerable people and force some centres to shut down.

What vital services does the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre provide to the urban Indigenous community?

The centre provides a range of services to urban Indigenous people, including employment, housing, food security, youth programming, and mental health support, particularly for seniors and residential school survivors.

Home / Business and Economy / Toronto Indigenous Food Bank Fights to Serve Growing Needs Amid Funding Fears

Toronto Indigenous Food Bank Fights to Serve Growing Needs Amid Funding Fears

Q: What challenges is the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre's food bank facing?

The Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre's food bank is struggling to meet the growing needs of the community, as the shelves are not as stocked as they used to be, and they have had to set capacity limits and turn people away, sometimes even running out of food entirely.

13 Nov

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Summary

Toronto Indigenous food bank faces supply shortages and capacity limits
Funding for reconciliation programs set to expire in 2026, raising concerns
Centres provide vital services to urban Indigenous people, including seniors and residential school survivors

As of November 13, 2025, the shelves at the Toronto Council Fire Native Cultural Centre's food bank have not been as well-stocked as they once were, but the need for their services is greater than ever. The centre, which is one of the Indigenous Friendship Centres across the country, is funded by the federal government's Urban Programming for Indigenous Peoples (UPIP).

However, the centre is now facing the prospect of losing this funding, as the federal budget has left key reconciliation programs without guaranteed money beyond the spring of 2026. Redbow Toulouse, who helps run the food bank, says they have already had to set capacity limits and turn people away, and sometimes they even run out of food entirely.

"We've had to set capacity limits and turn people away," Toulouse said. "And then we run out and we have to tell people sorry we don't have anything to give you."