I wouldn't get any kid one of the Victorinox or Wenger rounded-tip "My First Knife". I got one for my daughter years ago and it's never been used. Half the cutting they'll want to do needs a sharp point. She did just fine with a real knife.

For a Cub Scout's first knife, I'd pick some swiss army variant. Nothing super-thick with a lot of tools, but enough tools to get them excited. It's funny to ask a pack of boys if anyone has a can opener and watch them all scramble to get theirs. Unfortunately there aren't a lot of models with locking main blades. Most of the new Victorinox ones have that serrated one-hand-opening blade, which I don't think will work well for a first knife. (Hard to sharpen, almost impossible to carve with.) Wenger has a few classic-style swiss army knives with a locking blade. So except for a couple Wengers, you just have to accept the risk that the knife will accidentally fold on them. They really need to learn to control the knife so that doesn't happen.

For a little older scout, I'd pick a single-blade locking knife. I love Spydercos and a Delica seems like a decent fit without getting too expensive. Gerber and Bucks might be a little easier on the budget. I cringe when I see kids in our pack/troop with dollar-store cheapo knives.

On another topic, I don't know why any group of scouts wouldn't be allowed to use knives. I don't know the Canadian rules, but even in the UK scouts can use knives with some limitations. In the Boy Scouts of America, boys can earn their "whittling chip" in Bears (3rd grade, 9-10 years old) to carry and use a pocket knife. I don't think there is any adult supervision required but they are expected to use it safely. Now a huge problem in the U.S. is that many groups meet in schools where knives are banned. That sucks but there are plenty of opportunities outside of pack meetings at the school to work on knife skills.

I can't quite let the thread go without commenting on scouting in general. I hope this doesn't blow up and derail the conversation, but it's a sore spot for me. If someone has a bad experience with one Cub Scout/Boy Scout/Girl Scout pack or troop (or council), they really should try to change their group or find or start a new one, rather than just walking away from scouting in general. I don't like all the rules and stuff either, but it's a great opportunity for a lot of boys (and girls) that often don't get a chance to do this stuff. I don't just put up with it for my kids but for all those other kids whose parents don't know how to use a knife or cook on a fire.