CANCDTGEN 019/23 - Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why is the Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group (CJCR Gp) not becoming an Award Operator under The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Canada’s delivery model?
A1. For youth to participate in the Award they must belong to a licensed Award Centre with dedicated resources. This would require CJCR Gp to enter into a license agreement with Award Canada, which CJCR Gp is unwilling to do, as the Award activities are outside the scope of the Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers (JCR) Programs.
Individuals are welcome to use experience gained through participation in Cadets and JCR Programs activities toward personal achievement of their Award, where it meets Award requirements. This is consistent with how the Award is completed with participation in extra-curricular school activities and selected by the individual participants.
Q2. What are the policy implications related to this decision?
A2. As per the related CANCDTGEN 019/23, Update to Cadet/Junior Canadian Rangers Participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Program, effective October 31, 2023:
- no Cadet or JCR activity will be conducted for the purpose of fulfilling the requirements of the Award Canada’s Program;
- all participation in Award Canada’s Program will be outside of the Cadets and JCR Programs;
- CJCR Gp will not dedicate resources to Award Canada’s activities;
- all fees associated with Award Canada are the responsibility of the individual participant, there will be no authorization for the use of public funds to support Award Canada (e.g., registration and support for activities);
- CJCR Gp Adult Supervisors may continue to assist in the validation of activity completion that participants have accomplished through their participation in Cadets and JCR Program activities that coincide with the Award requirements; and
- the authorization for cadets and JCRs to wear the Commendation - Duke of Edinburgh’s International Awards on their uniform will remain unchanged.
Q3. Can Cadets and JCRs decide to continue to participate in The Duke of Edinburgh International Award?
A3. Yes, a cadet or JCR may continue their participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award program. Award Canada will reach out to each participant to communicate the options available, including available financial resources such as scholarships and bursaries. However, the individual participation is no longer as a Cadet or JCR, but rather as an individual participant through another Award Centre or the Virtual Award Centre.
Your cadet and JCR activities can still be recognized as part of The Award, and our adult staff may validate the activities accordingly.
Q4. What will happen to Adult Leaders who are trained as Award Leaders?
A4. Award Canada will be reaching out to those individuals within CJCR Gp who are trained as Award Leaders with regards to next steps on closing their account on Award Canada’s Online Record Book platform, or how they can transfer their role as an Award Leader to another youth organization with whom they might be associated, to continue mentoring young people through the Award.
Q5. As a trained Award Leader and a member of the Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service (COATS)/CJCR Gp Volunteer, can I support Award Canada?
A5. All participation in The Award will be on an individual basis, separate from the Cadet and JCR programs. COATS members/CJCR Gp Volunteers electing to support Award Canada may do so as an individual, and not while on duty.
COATS members and CJCR Gp Volunteers can validate a participant’s Cadets and JCR Programs activities toward the personal achievement of their Award, where it meets Award requirements.
Q6. Will CJCR Gp continue to authorize the wearing of the Commendation - The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award (award pin of achievement) on the Cadet and JCR uniform?
A6. Yes, cadets and JCRs will continue to be permitted to wear their Award pin on their uniform. The dress instructions will remain unchanged in this regard.
Q7. Can the Local Support Allocation be used to pay for individual registration fees?
A7. All fees associated with Award Canada are the responsibility of the individual participant. There is no authorization for the use of public funds to support participation with Award Canada (e.g., registration and support for activities). The use of Local Support Allocation (Public Funds) through Local Committees’ requests to pay registration fees or to support participation in the Award will not be approved. Participants can access financial assistance information through the Duke of Edinburgh Award Canada.
Q8. How will this impact cadets and JCRs who are currently enrolled in the Award with their local corps/squadron/patrol?
A8. By 31 October 2023, Award Canada (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) will reach out to each impacted participant enrolled in the Award to provide them with information on how they can transfer to another Awards Centre supported by alternate youth organizations, or to the Virtual Award Centre. In all cases, ensuring that participants have the information they need and access to trained Award Leaders remain a priority for Award Canada.
Q9. What is the Virtual Award Centre?
A9. The Virtual Award Centre is for participants who don’t have access to the Award through a local Award Centre. Award Canada (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) will directly provide access to Award Leaders to help participants set goals, strive to challenge themselves, and encourage individuals through their Award activities.