Katimavik is a federally-funded program with a mandate to “engage youth in volunteer service and foster sustainable communities through challenging national youth learning programs,” according to their website. Or, rather, it used to be a federally-funded program.
The Canadian government unveiled its budget for the new fiscal year March 29. Among several major cuts, the Conservatives scrapped all funding for Katimavik.
Looks like there will be fewer young adults working with the elderly, improving impoverished areas, and helping disabled people — just a few examples of Katimavik initiatives.
Scrapping Katimavik is taking away years of invaluable volunteer experience from thousands of at-risk youth across the country. Not to mention, the program only costs the government $14 million annually, according to the treasury board — just a small slice of their budget. So what’s the government’s reason for cutting the program’s funding?
In the week leading up to the budget’s release, Liberal MP Justin Trudeau asked Heritage Minister James Moore that very question in the House of Commons. Moore deflected the question with a comment on Trudeau’s boxing match, which was coming up that weekend, against Conservative senator Patrick Brazeau. No answer was given.
It appears the Conservatives have no leg to stand on, and it seems like this is pure politics since it’s not the first time a Conservative government has scrapped the program, which was introduced in the ‘80s under a Liberal government.
The decision to end Katimavik funding isn’t doing anything to help youth. Well, aside from helping them veer off the path to becoming contributing members of society. Instead, it’s potentially steering them straight to Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s brand-new multi-million dollar prisons.
