We have a wide number of programs that support youth all across this country, including SEVEC, Encounters with Canada, Forum for Young Canadians, and the YMCA/YWCA. I will continue to support those programs. Those programs have had a great track record.
The decision on Katimavik, as I've said, was not a difficult one. In the past, under Liberal governments and Conservative governments, departmental officials, prior to my current officials, and others have always done ongoing assessments of Katimavik and youth programs. The reality is that this is a program that has received taxpayer funding for 34 or 35 years, if memory serves. They started receiving funding the year after I was born. When they were created, 99% of their funding came from taxpayers, and here we are in 2012, and 99% of their funding still comes from taxpayers. The assessment done by my department, which we tabled in the House of Commons a few months ago—I believe it was six months ago—showed that over the past four years, on average, there was a one-third dropout rate among students who participated in the Katimavik program. The fact that they haven't held a serious fundraiser at all in years showed me a great deal about the lack of reciprocity with the degree to which taxpayers have invested in this program.
There's no doubt in my mind that the goals of Katimavik and the aspirations are noble and well intentioned, but I don't think the results match the investment. I think it was an organization whose taxpayer funding was due to run out for lack of achievement of those goals and lack of reciprocity with taxpayers.