Skip to content

Atamanenko slams Katimavik cut as “un-Canadian”

Axing of program is act of political vengeance, says Atamanenko

BC Southern Interior Member of Parliament Alex Atamanenko is outraged at the Conservative decision to cut Katimavik.

“This is purely a political decision. Just because the Liberals started this program, Conservative ideology believes that it must go,” stated the NDP MP.

“I have personally witnessed the good work that these young Canadians do in helping our communities and have seen the positive interaction that takes place between them. This is truly a grassroots way to build national unity. Cutting the program is, in my opinion, un-Canadian!”

Katimavik began in 1977 with the purpose of educating youth and fostering lifelong civic engagement through community service. Through various changes to the program, it has continued to adapt to changing society while staying true to its mission.  According to their most recent annual report, from 2010-2011, “600 Katimavik volunteers worked 81,770 hours in 64 Canadian communities and served more than 500 community work partners. They created value to the tune of an estimated $10.8 million.”

 

“The Conservatives will have deprived federal coffers of 220 billion dollars in revenue between 2006 and 2014 because of corporate tax cuts and now they want to try and balance the books by cutting such worthwhile programs as Katimavik. This makes no sense whatsoever,” concluded Atamanenko.