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2008-1 Public Affairs - Corps and Squadron

Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers Group Order (CJCR Gp O)

On this page

  1. Identification
  2. Abbreviations
  3. Definitions
  4. Policy
  5. Public Announcements
  6. Media Interview Requests
  7. Media Interest Generated From Significant Incidents
  8. Advertising and Sponsorship Activities
  9. Public Affairs Materials and Products
  10. Provision of Website and Social Media Content
  11. Publication
  12. References

1. Identification

Date of Issue: 2021-02-17

Date of Verification: 2022-04-22

Application: This is an order that applies to members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and a directive that applies to Civilian Instructors and employees of the Department of National Defence (DND) employed within the Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers (CJCR).

Supersession: CATO 13-33, Public Affairs – Cadet Corps/Squadron

Approval Authority: This order is issued under the authority of the Comd CJCR.

Office of Primary Interest (OPI): CJCR HQ COS

Enquiries: CJCR Senior PAO

2. Abbreviations

Abbreviation Complete Word or Phrase
ADM(PA) Assistant Deputy Minister (Public Affairs)
CAF Canadian Armed Forces
CJCR Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers
CO commanding officer
DAOD Defence Administrative Orders and Directives
DND Department of National Defence
JCR Junior Canadian Rangers
PA public affairs
PAO Public Affairs Officer
RCSU Regional Cadet Support Unit
UPAR Unit Public Affairs Representative

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3. Definitions

Advertising. See DAOD 2008-5, Public Affairs Planning and Program Delivery.

Cadet/JCR Correspondent. A Cadet/JCR Correspondent is a cadet/JCR who is actively participating in public affairs activities.

Cadet Leagues. The Navy League of Canada, the Army Cadet League of Canada and the Air Cadet League of Canada are collectively referred to as the Cadet Leagues.

Public announcements. See DAOD 2008-0, Public Affairs Policy.

Sponsorship. See DAOD 7021-4, Solicitations, Sponsorships and Donations.

4. Policy

Context

4.1 PA and communications activities are a joint responsibility between the corps/squadron who represents the CAF and the local committee who represent the Cadet Leagues.

4.2 Appropriate visibility and awareness of the program is key to attracting youth and in ensuring community support. This requirement generally falls under the responsibility of the local committee, should be coordinated with corps/squadron staff, and respect the values and ethics of the Cadet Program.

Policy

4.3 Corps/squadron COs are responsible for the application of CAF PA policy for their corps/squadrons and will ensure that good public relations are fostered and maintained.

4.4 Corps/squadron COs, in cooperation with the local committee chair, will establish a joint communications committee that contains a corps/squadron staff member, ideally the corps/squadron UPAR, a communication representative from the local committee, and a minimum of one Cadet Correspondent. Corps/squadron COs are required to maintain access to any social media pages created by the local committee.

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5. Public Announcements

5.1 Any post made on social media, or by means of contacting local media should be viewed as a public announcement. It is important for corps/squadron COs to understand when and how they should be communicating local or national program information to the public. When in doubt, they should contact their chain of command or regional PAO.

5.2 Corps/squadrons COs will inform their PAO of any media coverage and  provide links, if available.

6. Media Interview Requests

6.1 As CAF members and DND employees, corps/squadron personnel may, in their official capacity, agree to be interviewed by the media provided it is to speak about their experience, their role at a corps/squadron or an activity or event they coordinate.

6.2 Corps/squadron personnel:

  1. may seek advice and support from their PAO, when desired or when in doubt about how to respond;
  2. may respond or refer the inquiry to their chain of command;
  3. must refer questions that fall outside of their personal experience or expertise to their chain of command; and
  4. must inform their PAO in advance of the interview, or as soon as possible following the interview.

6.3 All other questions or information requests from media should be referred to their PAO.

6.4 Cadets may participate in an interview if they and their parents/guardians consent. Parental consent is only required if the cadet has not reached the age of majority. Corps/squadron COs will ensure that cadets are aware that they are to respond only to questions related to their personal experience or expertise. Corps/squadron COs are to seek advice from their PAO prior to briefing a cadet, this will ensure the PAO is aware in advance. COs must inform their PAO as soon as possible following the interview.

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7. Media Interest Generated From Significant Incidents

7.1 Media interviews concerning a significant incident, issue or crisis are to be performed by subject-matter experts authorized by the Comd CJCR.

7.2 Significant incidents occurring during cadet activities may generate media interest, including:

  1. complaints from parents, cadets or the public;
  2. incidents/accidents causing injury to one or more cadets or CAF personnel;
  3. widespread illness;
  4. enironmental incidents; or
  5. criminal acts by one or more cadets or CAF personnel.

7.3 In addition to the appropriate administrative procedures, corps/squadron COs will contact their PAO to evaluate the potential for public interest in the event or incident. The PAO will identify the appropriate communication procedures to be followed as per the CJCR Incident Management Process.

7.4 Corps/squadron COs must obtain authorization from their RCSU before disclosing any information involved in a significant incident, and ensure that personal and private information is protected in accordance with DAOD 2006-1, Procedures for the Safeguarding and Authorized Disclosure of Information in the DND and the CAF.

7.5 Corps/squadron COs will, in collaboration with their PAO, keep staff and stakeholders informed where applicable to the extent allowed by current laws related to privacy, youth offenders and child protection.

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8. Advertising and Sponsorship Activities

8.1 According to DAOD 2008-8, Official Use of Social Media, and DAOD 2008-5, Public Affairs Planning and Program Delivery, ADM(PA) is accountable for all DND and CAF advertising activities. This includes promoting, boosting and sponsoring content on all social media platforms.

8.2 It is prohibited for any DND employee or CAF member to use public funds to purchase advertising, including to promote, boost or sponsor content on social media platforms, without having first consulted with the Director Marketing and Advertising and having received the approval of ADM(PA).

8.3 Corps/squadron personnel will not purchase or accept advertising space.

8.4 Corps/squadron COs will ensure that should the local committee purchase or accept advertising space, including as a form of sponsorship, that it is clear from the advertising that the purchase or acceptance of advertising was done so by the respective Cadet League.

8.5 Corps/squadron COs will ensure that should the local committee seek or accept sponsorship for corps/squadron activities, the sponsorship does not include use of cadets or cadet images, and it is clear the sponsorship relationship is with the local committee. Corps/squadron COs must ensure that such sponsorships do not present a conflict of interest or imply a relationship between a business and DND/CAF, in accordance with DAOD 7021-4, Solicitations, Sponsorships and Donations.

8.6 Community bulletin boards, letters to the editor and news articles are not considered advertising.

8.7 Personal letters to the editor will not be signed as a member of the CAF, that is, with rank or position unless the chain of command has been notified and has approved the interaction.

9. Public Affairs Materials and Products

9.1 Corps/squadrons may obtain prepared PA materials though their Zone Training Officer or by visiting Cadet365.

9.2 Corps/squadrons may be required to print promotional material using the provided templates and resources. Brochure templates are released via the Regional PAO on a regular basis. These products are not considered advertising.

9.3 The creation of corps/squadron banners or locally developed promotional material must comply with image and branding policies. It is prudent to ensure PAO review of these materials prior to production. 

10. Provision of Website and Social Media Content

10.1 Corps/squadron personnel will consult CJCR Gp Order 2008-6, Internet Publishing and Social Media.

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11. Publication

Frequency of Publication

11.1 Annual or more frequent review and updates, as required.

Errors/Omissions or Suggestions

11.2 Users of CJCR Gp Orders are encouraged to identify any errors, omissions or suggested orders to the attention of CJCR HQ J1 Policy.

12. References

Source References

Related References

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