Cadet Program Re-scope FAQs

As the Canadian Cadet Organizations adopt an asymmetrical approach to resuming in-person training activities, we are also working to rebuild, re-scope, and refresh the cadet program and the cadet experience for the youth of today across Canada.

The Cadet Program Re-scope aims to offer an optimized core training program which gives a common experience to participants across the country, while also providing activities specific to Army, Sea and Air Cadets. The goal of the Cadet Program Re-scope is to re-align Cadets Canada into an affordable, accessible, and agile program which provides opportunities equitably across Canada. The Cadet Program Re-scope capitalizes on the use of lessons learned and best practices, while maintaining the Cadet Program aims of developing in youth the attributes of good citizenship and leadership, promoting physical fitness, and stimulating the interest of youth in the sea, land, and air activities of the Canadian Armed Forces.

The Re-scope is fundamentally driven by public opinion research and participant feedback gathered through surveys combined with direction from the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff in response to recommendations from a thorough departmental review of the overall Cadet Program. The Re-scope is focused on realizing a vision for the Cadet Program of an accessible, affordable, and agile program of choice which provides young Canadians with contemporary experiences and life skills to help them successfully transition to adulthood.

Change is required to remain relevant for today’s youth. A recent thorough departmental review of the Cadet Program noted that the current scope and funding of the program is not aligned, and that there is a lack of clarity on whether the program is achieving maximum impact on participants and communities – something which is also reinforced by feedback from parents and cadets. The Cadet Program Re-scope intends to address these areas for improvement by better aligning the needs of our cadets and our resources.

We are taking advantage of lessons learned through the pandemic to revamp our summer program delivery model in order to ensure that every cadet will have options for summer training or employment.

A fundamental aim of the Re-scope is to ensure that we are using our resources and financial allocations efficiently to allow more and equitable opportunities for all youth within our program. While the program may be delivered differently, the Cadet Program Re-scope intends to deliver more – more flexible programming, accessible to more cadets, in more communities across Canada.

As outlined in Canada’s Defence Policy Strong, Secure, Engaged, we are committed to strengthening Canadian communities by investing in youth. This will be enhanced through the Re-scope as the changes being made increase the Cadet Program’s reach by focusing on community-based programming.

Yes, we are taking advantage of lessons learned through the pandemic to revamp our summer program delivery model so that every cadet may have an opportunity for summer training through options such as online training, day activities, or attending a Cadet Training Centre. Whereas previously we could offer a summer experience to less than half of our cadets, the new model is designed to offer an option for summer training to all.