Islanders call for restoration of Katimavik

The son of one of the founders of Katimavik is hopeful the youth service program will be restored by the Trudeau government. And so far, over 11,000 people are hoping too.

"The prime minister knows this program well, he served on its board, he feels strongly about it, and I think it is a great opportunity to bring it back," said Colin Deacon, whose father Don helped create Katimavik in 1977.

I think as a country we owe this to ourselves to make sure we get the best out of each of us.— Colin Deacon

"And I hope bring it back in a way that it does not become a political football in the future, I think it is kind of silly that it has happened in the past."

The elder Deacon, then an MPP in Ontario, started the program along with federal politicians Barney Danson, who served as defence minister at the time, and Jacques Hebert, a senator. It was designed to give Canadian youth six-month stints volunteering in communities across Canada.

"They were really passionate about what their war service had done for them and their sense of community they got from working together towards a shared goal," the younger Deacon told CBC Radio's Island Morning.

Since 1977, more than 30,000 young Canadians have packed a backpack, travelled to a new community and helped 
a service organization.

"I think dad saw in his own sons, me very much included, lots of high school grads are not really ready to immediately go into post-secondary because they don't have any genuine interest or passion," Deacon said.

'They want to see it reinstated'

When the elder Deacon passed away in 2003, the program was a shadow of what had been created at the request of Pierre Trudeau. It became political, was cancelled by the Mulroney government in the mid-80s, partially restored by the Chrétien government, then chopped again in 2012 by Conservatives.

Now, there's new hope for Katimavik with Justin Trudeau's pledge to spend $25 million a year on a restored youth program. A specific program hasn't been named, but an online petition started by a former participant asking Trudeau to revive the program has over 11,000 signatures.

"I've signed it, and I've shared it," said Vaughn Murphy, who spent time working as Katimavik project coordinator on P.E.I. "If everyone does their little part then we can get more signatures on that petition."

• Katimavik's return urged in petition signed by 10,000 Canadians

Murphy said he still stays in touch with many of the youth who came to the Island to volunteer, and they all want the program back.

"They do see the benefit of the program and they want to see it reinstated," he said.

"I got to meet so many very independent, respectable people and youth who wanted to become part of the culture here, and take on new skill sets and develop leadership,"

Deacon is hopeful the Trudeau government can bring the program back.

"Life is not so comfortable for so many people," he said. "We have to test our mettle in order to really achieve in life, and I think as a country we owe this to ourselves to make sure we get the best out of each of us."