President and CEO Statements
Official statements issued by Katimavik’s President and CEO, JF (John-Frederick) Cameron.
JF Cameron
John-Frederick is a seasoned professional in development, fundraising, and advocacy.
He has served as President and CEO of Katimavik since 2019, bringing more than 25 years of senior leadership experience within Canada’s charitable sector.
John-Frederick began his career with the Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada, where he led his department through significant growth. He went on to hold a series of senior leadership roles, including Head of Development for the former Institute for the Prevention of Child Abuse; National Director of Development & Government Affairs for Ballet Jörgen Canada; Vice-President, Development & Communications at Youth Employment Services (YES); Senior Vice-President at The Healing Cycle Foundation for Palliative Care; and National Director, Development & Communications at Canadian Crossroads International.
He was previously appointed to the Government of Canada’s Youth Advisory Board, which led the federal government’s participation in the United Nations’ International Youth Year Program. Throughout his career, he has been a steadfast advocate for youth empowerment.
He has served on the boards of several charitable organizations and is a former member of the national Board of Directors of the Council of Canadians. His activism has also led him to organize and moderate numerous public forums aimed at influencing public policy.
Deeply committed to social justice and active public engagement, he views dialogue and participation as essential drivers of social change.
Since joining Katimavik as President and CEO in 2019, he has been instrumental in revitalizing the organization. Under his leadership, Katimavik successfully relaunched its programs and introduced a new brand identity in June 2024. He has also played a key role in advancing the organization’s mission to empower youth from diverse backgrounds and in strengthening its commitment to Truth and Reconciliation and diversity.
Katimavik and the Pride Movement
JF (John-Frederick) Cameron statement following Katimavik's participation in Montreal Pride in 2024.
“As the CEO of Katimavik, I am honored to share the remarkable history of the Pride Movement, its deep importance in our world and to explain how Katimavik supports it today.
The Pride movement began as a courageous response to decades of discrimination and violence against gays and lesbians. It started with the Stonewall Riots in 1969 in New York City, where members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, bravely stood up against a police raid on the Stonewall Inn. This act of defiance ignited a series of protests and was the catalyst for the modern 2SLGBTQIA+ rights movement.
In the years that followed, Pride parades began to emerge across the world, serving as both a celebration and a protest. These gatherings have grown from small marches into vibrant, large-scale events that celebrate diversity, promote visibility, and demand equal rights, not just for some, but for all.
Pride, however, is more than just a celebration. It’s a powerful reminder of the progress we’ve made and the work that still lies ahead. It’s a time to honor those who fought for our rights and to stand in solidarity with those who continue to face challenges.
Katimavik has a longstanding commitment to inclusivity and diversity. We believe in empowering young adults to become leaders who drive positive change in their communities. Our involvement with Pride is a testament to our dedication to these values.
Our presence at Pride events, such as Fierté Montréal, is more than symbolic. It’s an opportunity to engage with the community, to show our support, and to reaffirm our commitment to equality and human rights.
At Katimavik, we believe that everyone deserves to be seen, heard, and celebrated for who they are. We’re honored to be part of the Pride movement and to stand with the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, today and every day.”
Katimavik Commitments Across Generations
This statement by JF (John-Frederick) Cameron highlights the transformative impact of Katimavik’s programs and the organization’s commitment to diversity, not only in terms of representation but also in fostering respect for different opinions and perspectives.
“In 1977, our organization launched our flagship program, The National Experience, a program that introduces young people to their country and their country to them.
During this program, they live together, work together, and serve together. They collaborate through volunteerism in support of local nonprofit and community charitable initiatives.
Through these activities, they are instilled with a lifelong commitment to community development. While they may begin their journey with us not particularly confident or self aware, they leave our programs more confident, more self aware, more hopeful for a brighter future, committed to active citizenship and driven to make their contribution to the country that we all love.
In 2020, with the support from the Government of Canada and private sector partners, we launched FuturePerfect, a new employment program. FuturePerfect guides you through career exploration, supporting them in identifying and developing their employment skills and engaging in a 12 week job placement, thereby helping them become contributing members of society.
Our commitment to diversity began in 1977 and remains to this day a pillar of all of our programming. But included in this diversity is also diversity of thought. We inspire young people to have the courage to discuss and debate different perspectives amongst each other and to respect those perspectives even when they do not agree with them. If our country is to succeed in this world and remain the best country in the world, as individuals we must be able and willing to hear each other, respect each other, embrace each other even when we disagree with each other.
We are building not only a more inclusive society but indeed a more tolerant, open minded, anti racist society. In fact, we encourage young people in an active commitment to reduce hate. We are empowering youth to be aspirational in their goals and confident in the contribution that they can individually and collectively make in service to our great country. “