Feds cut Katimavik program; director speaks

 During Thursday’s Conservative federal budget speech, the youth program Katimavik learned its funding will be suspended.

The program pairs youth with various community organizations across the country for volunteer partnerships 6-months or longer. Its aim is to educate youth and encourage lifelong civic engagement and community service.

Victoria Salvador, Katimavik’s national communications director says the cuts were shocking. “We were not expecting this cut at all. We didn’t have a heads up. We learned about it in the budget like everyone else did.”

She says the worst part about the decision is the cuts are effective at the start of July, meaning that over 600 youth – who were expecting to participate in the program this summer, are left in limbo.

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“It’s too late for them to be applying for university. It’s too late for them to be applying for college. In most cases summer jobs have already hired their personnel,” Salvador explains.

Jessie Bannick knows that first hand. She is one of the youth planning to work with Katimavik this summer. Bannick put university on hold for the opportunity, and now she says it’s too late for her to apply for classes.

“I was furious. I didn’t know what I would do. I gave up for a while, but I figured that’s not going to do any good and I started doing a petition.”

A number of Katimavik supporters will deliver the petition to the House of Commons next week. Bannick feels the government doesn’t understand the value of the opportunity.

“I want them to know that this program isn’t just about youth going out and having fun. It’s about us going and helping out not-for-profit organizations that can’t do it without us.”

Salvador agrees. “Those young people were supposed to be working for not-for-profit organizations all over Canada. They were counting on receiving some full-time staff as of July. They’re left without a plan as well.”

When word of the cuts got out, a flood of support began pouring in. “We’ve been receiving a tremendous amount of testimonials via email, via Twitter, they just keep coming in. I know that the MPs are also receiving letters.”

“If the people are making noise, then I’m hoping someone will listen.”