CANCDTGEN 003/26

Canadian Cadet General Order (CANCDTGEN)

Equity in the use of CJCR Gp Digital Platforms

References:

1. CANCDTGEN 001/21, Launch of the CADET365 platform
2. CJCR Gp O 2008-6, Internet Publishing and Social Media
3. CANCDTGEN 024/23, Decommissioning of Unauthorized Information Management, Virtual Meeting and Electronic Communication Platforms
4. Commander Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group Command Philosophy

1. The Cadet Program thrives on diversity and a commitment to equity and inclusion and is committed to providing programming and opportunities accessible to all Canadian youth. Whether youth engage for a short time or many years, the goal is to ensure their experience is enriching and impactful. The Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group (CJCR Gp) is committed to ensuring equitable access to digital platforms, tools and associated processes for all audiences served by CJCR Gp.
2. Cadet365 has allowed CJCR Gp at all levels to improve internal communications and collaboration with staff, cadets and CJCR Gp Volunteers. Advances have led to a centralization of communications, the ability to access CJCR Gp digital resources on personal devices, the decommissioning of unauthorized platforms, and new tools to engage, interact with audiences and collect information.
3. Despite these advances, cadets and their parents/guardians reflect Canadian society and as such, individuals may face barriers in accessing and understanding digital resources. Barriers may arise from differences in skill/education, means and ability to access digital resources and devices, infrastructure gaps, and/or specific community-based concerns affecting groups such as seniors, people with disabilities, Indigenous Peoples, newcomers or other individuals who do not speak English or French as their first language. Additionally, parents/guardians may have rules for use of digital assets by youth, such as limiting screen time or rules regarding shared family resources. Many youths may not have access to personal devices. These decisions are reflective of individual family values and must be respected by CJCR Gp.
4. Differences in access to technology and digital skills can affect how well people receive and understand information. Messages may be missed, misunderstood, or delayed when people have limited access to devices, the Internet, or digital tools, or when information is not shared in a way that meets their needs. These factors must be considered when communicating with cadets and parents/guardians, when determining planning timelines, and when collecting information through digital platforms such as activity sign-ups, expressions of interest, and responses.
5. The Government of Canada ensures that services offered to Canadians are available in both physical and digital formats. In all cases, CJCR Gp must offer options for engagement through physical means. Examples include paper forms, sign-up sheets, phone calls, or in-person meetings. The following list provides a non-exhaustive set of guidelines to use when engaging cadets and their parents/guardians:
   1. Cadets must be provided with equitable access to sign up, or apply, for authorized cadet activities through both digital and physical means. In addition to digital forms, cadets may speak to corps/squadron staff, use paper forms or sign-up sheets, or use Cadet365 devices at the corps/squadrons. Cadets must be allowed to sign up in person or receive information during training nights, rather than relying solely on digital sign-up sheets.
   2. Activity/application lists must be validated following digital information collection. Activities with a digital sign-up sheet should be physically posted on corps/squadron training nights, emailed to cadets and parents/guardians, or other reasonable means to ensure that all cadets have had an opportunity to apply/participate.
   3. Information, announcements and changes to authorized cadet activities must be available to cadets and parents/guardians and should leverage multiple channels, such as Teams messages, email, phone calls, sponsor-operated websites, and Microsoft Sway.
   4. When responses are time sensitive, efforts must be made to support cadets through both digital and physical means to be successful with their returns. Electronic signups should not be on a first-come, first-served basis, unless special/urgent circumstances exist.
   5. Notifications and communication by digital means do not eliminate the requirement to communicate in other ways.
6. Within CJCR Gp, the Information Technology Service Management Centre (ITSMC), in cooperation with Regional Cadet Support Units and the Deputy Chief of Staff Training, has made and will continue to make, certain Cadet365 devices available to cadets when undergoing training, or when other special requirements are presented. Corps/Squadron staff can contact their chain-of-command for details on how to request devices or visit the CJCR Gp Digital Portal (You are now leaving Canada.ca. Link accessible only on the Cadet365 SharePoint).
7. Questions concerning this CANCDTGEN can be directed to your RCSU J6.