Why Haitians of Toronto Needs Stable, Long-Term Government Funding

For years, Haitians of Toronto has been carrying the weight of an entire community with little to no consistent support. We do this work because our people deserve a place they can turn to, a place that understands their language, their history, and their reality here in Canada. But the truth is simple: we cannot continue to meet the growing needs of the Haitian community without stable government funding.

The Haitian population in the GTA has nearly doubled over the last decade. Thousands of families have arrived in Toronto, Durham, Peel, and Scarborough looking for safety, stability, and a fair chance to rebuild their lives. Yet despite being one of the fastest-growing Black Francophone communities in Ontario, there is still no Creole-speaking community organization receiving consistent government support.

Meanwhile, Haitians of Toronto continues to be the first point of contact for almost everyone.Every week we are approached by:

• Social workers

• Hospitals

• Schools

• Settlement agencies

• News outlets

• Individual families in crisis

• Community members looking for direction, resources, and advocacy

We receive daily calls about housing, legal issues, school challenges, mental health support, gender-based violence, immigration problems, employment, and newcomer integration. We try our best, but the truth is our organization does not have the resources or staffing to handle the volume of requests we receive.

Other cultural organizations across Ontario receive ongoing funding that allows them to operate properly, hire full-time staff, run community programs, and offer stable services. Our community deserves the same.

Haitians of Toronto is not just “a community group.” We are:

• A bridge for newcomers who arrive without support

• A trusted resource for families navigating Canadian systems

• A voice for those who cannot advocate for themselves

• A connection point for service providers who turn to us for help

• A lifeline during moments of crisis

But we cannot continue to rely on small donations and volunteer labour while the needs grow larger every year. This model is not sustainable, and it leaves our community without the support they urgently need.

With stable government funding, we could:

• Hire trained staff to respond to community needs

• Provide Creole-language support for newcomers

• Offer workshops on housing, employment, education, and settlement

• Support caregivers, youth, and families who are struggling

• Build structured programs that can run year-round

• Ensure no one is left without help simply because we lack resources

Our people deserve a safe, organized, and fully supported community hub — one that reflects who we are and meets the needs of a population that continues to grow.

The Haitian community contributes, works, pays taxes, raises families, and builds a life here. It is time for the system to recognize that reality with proper funding.

We are asking for what is fair: ongoing, stable government support so Haitians of Toronto can continue serving this growing community with dignity, structure, and the resources required to do the work well.

This is not just about an organization. This is about a community that has gone unheard for too long.