Tilson meets local Katimavik participant

Jaana Pearson Paavola is a Katimavik participant from Bolton. She's shown with MP David Tilson.

Dufferin - Caledon MP David Tilson recently had the opportunity to meet Bolton resident Jaana Pearson Paavola, a Katimavik participant.

Paavola is currently in Smith's Falls, Ontario, and is next headed to Cheticamp, a francophone community in Nova Scotia. She is one of approximately 1,100 youth involved in the program across Canada.

Tilson observed that the government recently announced it would extend Katimavik's annual funding of $20.6 million until August of 2009. He said this will allow the program, with the aid of the government, time to adjust its cost structures and achieve greater efficiencies, ensure that the tax dollars of Canadians are well spent and support Canada's youth and promote volunteerism, training and linguistic duality.

Katimavik offers young Canadians an experience that incorporates learning and volunteer involvement. It is Canada's leading national youth volunteerservice program. During some eight or nine months with Katimavik, participants aged 17 to 21 live in three regions of Canada. They are involved in numerous volunteer projects in each community.

"This funding will allow young people like Jaana to develop vital skills and learn more about our country," Tilson remarked. "As Katimavik adjusts to provide a more streamlined program for young Canadians, I encourage Dufferin - Caledon youth to investigate this great opportunity for themselves."