The end?

I received this e-mail yesterday from a former boss of mine:

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT AND THAT OF YOUR PARENTS. The federal government is presentlyreviewing its decision to support the Summer Work / Student Exchange program past the 2006 edition. We would appreciate if you would send a letter of support to the Minister of Heritage Canada, the Honorable Beverly Oda, asking for the continued financing of the Summer Work / Student Exchange program.

Please describe how your participation in the program has affected you, for example:(using one or more of these arguments): Improved your second languageskills; Discovered another region of Canada; Acquired an incomparable workexperience; Made friends from across the country; Helped with your future careerchoices; And/or any other benefits that you have acquired from your participation. Parents, you may indicate that, without government financing, you would not have been able to provide your child with such an extraordinary experience.

Your letter of support should be send by email to:The Honorable Beverly Oda, Heritage Canada Minister (Oda.B@parl.gc.ca). It would also be appreciated if you could send this letter to your local Member of Parliament and local media. We would also appreciate a copy: info@1617.ca.

We thank you in advance for your support, which will help insure that thousands moreo f Canadian youth may profit from the benefits of the program.

Ercole Perrone
Regional Director Ontario
eperrone@1617.ca
800-409-0453

How did I have a feeling that when the Conservatives were voted in, this would happen? I mean, first, it was Stephen Harper threatening to make Air Canada English-only and saying French is useless. One of his election promises was to allow Quebec an easier time to separate, and now, he's thinking of cutting cultural/heritage funding to such an extraordinary program (and probably to other programs as well).

I had such an awesome time on the program, both as a participant and as a coordinator and it really changed me life. I think I'm going to have to write a letter.....