Company of Young Canadians
Encyclopedia
The Company of Young Canadians (CYC) was a short-lived Canadian
youth program sponsored by the Canadian federal government, which existed from 1966 to 1977. It was inspired by the U.S. Peace Corps
, but was designed to be run autonomously without government direction.
It generated considerable controversy shortly after its founding: coordination with volunteers in small communities was poorly organized, and several of the youth involved in the program were prominent political activists. Among other things, it was accused in 1969 of harbouring terrorists by municipal officials from Montreal
, including Mayor Jean Drapeau
. These claims were never verified. In March 1970 its administration was taken over by the federal government, and in 1977 it was formally abolished.
The CYC was a co-sponsor of the National Film Board of Canada
's Indian Film Crew in 1968, the NFB's first foray into Native-made filmmaking.
Notable alumni of the CYC include Gilles Duceppe
, Georges Erasmus
, Barbara Hall
, Phil Fontaine
and Michael Valpy
.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
youth program sponsored by the Canadian federal government, which existed from 1966 to 1977. It was inspired by the U.S. Peace Corps
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is an American volunteer program run by the United States Government, as well as a government agency of the same name. The mission of the Peace Corps includes three goals: providing technical assistance, helping people outside the United States to understand US culture, and helping...
, but was designed to be run autonomously without government direction.
It generated considerable controversy shortly after its founding: coordination with volunteers in small communities was poorly organized, and several of the youth involved in the program were prominent political activists. Among other things, it was accused in 1969 of harbouring terrorists by municipal officials from Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, including Mayor Jean Drapeau
Jean Drapeau
Jean Drapeau, was a Canadian lawyer and politician who served as mayor of Montreal from 1954 to 1957 and 1960 to 1986...
. These claims were never verified. In March 1970 its administration was taken over by the federal government, and in 1977 it was formally abolished.
The CYC was a co-sponsor of the National Film Board of Canada
National Film Board of Canada
The National Film Board of Canada is Canada's twelve-time Academy Award-winning public film producer and distributor. An agency of the Government of Canada, the NFB produces and distributes documentary, animation, alternative drama and digital media productions...
's Indian Film Crew in 1968, the NFB's first foray into Native-made filmmaking.
Notable alumni of the CYC include Gilles Duceppe
Gilles Duceppe
Gilles Duceppe is a Canadian politician, and proponent of the Québec sovereignty movement. He was a Member of Parliament in the Canadian House of Commons for over 20 years and was the leader of the sovereigntist Bloc Québécois for almost 15 years. He is the son of a well-known Quebec actor, Jean...
, Georges Erasmus
Georges Erasmus
Georges Henry Erasmus, OC is a Canadian Aboriginal politician. He was the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations from 1985 to 1991....
, Barbara Hall
Barbara Hall
Barbara Hall is a Canadian lawyer, public servant and former politician. She was the 61st mayor of Toronto, the last to run before amalgamation. She was elected mayor of the pre-amalgamation City of Toronto in 1994, and held office until December 31, 1997...
, Phil Fontaine
Phil Fontaine
Larry Phillip Fontaine, OM is an Aboriginal Canadian leader. He completed his third and final term as National Chief of the Assembly of First Nations in 2009....
and Michael Valpy
Michael Valpy
Michael Granville Valpy is an award-winning Canadian journalist and author. He writes for the Globe and Mail newspaper where he made his reputation on both political and human interest stories...
.
Further reading
- Hamilton, I. (1970) The Children's Crusade: The Story of the Company of Young Canadians. Toronto: Peter Martin Associates.