A former Katimavik participant reflects on the Conservative government's decision to cut the program.
spending cuts
Preparing for the 2012 federal budget
Finance Minister Jim Flaherty prepares to deliver one of the most draconian budgets in recent years.
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Grey power and changes to the public pension system
The numbers and politics behind Harper's proposed changes to Old Age Security.
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The Harper regime in question
Stephen Harper and his government are in trouble. Charges of concealing the real costs of the F-35 fighter jets, confirmed by the auditor general, a Harper appointee, are not going away, despite an Easter parliamentary recess. These $10 billion in hidden costs were revealed by the parliamentary budget officer (an innovation of the Harper government) prior to the May 2, 2011 election, and led to the government being found in contempt of parliament, provoking a non-confidence motion, and the May election.
Federal budget is all about control and resource industry domination
Finally, it's crystal clear. When it comes to public spending, it's the public, not the spending, the Harper government is really out to control.
The budget that came down last week was a defining moment, though not the way anyone expected. Naturally, Conservative Canada widely assumed the new majority would be all about government austerity. That was a misconception.
There will be government jobs shed, of course, but the Canadian Taxpayers Federation and its ilk were quite disappointed, which was the best thing about this otherwise truly disturbing budget. Economists internationally are in near-consensus that drastically cutting government spending is the fast way to halt economic growth.
An open letter from a Katimavik participant
My name is Gabrielle de Montigny and I am 20 years old. I currently live in Toronto, Ont. and I would like to share my story.
First of all, I would like to state how deeply hurt and saddened I am by the Conservative government's decision to cut the Katimavik program out of the federal budget.
When I heard the news, I felt sad for those who would never experience what I have experienced. In this letter I would like to tell you specifically how Katimavik impacted me and those around me and how it has the potential to impact so many other youth and communities around Canada. I am not one to write letters personally but given the profound impact Katimavik has had on me, I strongly believe that you need to hear my story.
A number is never just a number: Federal budget 2012
$5.2 billion
Annual cost of most recent round of public service cuts when fully implemented, as announced in 2012 federal budget. (Source)
$13 billion
Amount of yearly revenue lost to the Harper government's corporate tax cuts in 2012-13. (Source)
70,000
Estimated number of real job cuts over the next three years due to federal austerity measures. (Source)
26
