Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers

The Cadet Program is a national, community-based program for youth aged 12 to 18, who are Canadian citizens or are authorized to reside in Canada. The Department of National Defence (DND) funds the program in partnership with three civilian organizations: the Navy League of Canada, the Army Cadet League of Canada, and the Air Cadet League of Canada.

The DND and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) pay for Cadet uniforms, travel, and other associated costs. The Leagues’ local sponsoring organizations expect parents and Cadets to participate in and contribute to fundraising efforts. These efforts help provide accommodations, training aids, equipment, and program enhancements.

The Cadet Program was created in 1862, making it one of Canada’s oldest youth programs. It includes:

• the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets,
• the Royal Canadian Army Cadets, and
• the Royal Canadian Air Cadets.

The Cadet Program develops the attributes of good citizenship and leadership, promotes physical fitness and stimulates interest in the sea, army and air activities of the CAF. 

It is important to note that Cadets are not members of the CAF, nor are they expected to join the military. The program focuses on transferrable life skills that Cadets can use in any career path they choose.

Data on this page comes from the National Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers Support Group.

In 2020, there were 54,135 Cadets across Canada, forming 1,096 Cadet Corps and Squadrons:

Girls were not eligible to join Cadets until 1975. As of 2020, they represented 32.9 per cent of all Cadets in Canada. 

Cadet activities in communities across Canada begin annually in September and end the following May or June. As a Cadet, you will participate in activities with your Corps or Squadron, typically for one evening per week, and sometimes on weekends.

Activities vary according to which Cadet organization you join. All will develop your skills as a good leader, teammate, and citizen as well as improve your physical fitness. Each program includes drills and education on the CAF and Canadian military history.

You can participate in the following activities as a Sea, Army or Air Cadet:

The Cadet Organization has 22 Cadet Training Centres across Canada where summer training from July to August takes place. More than 19,000 youth attend these centres every summer.

Cadet Training Centres: 22 Training Centres across Canada

15 Cadets Training Centres

• HMCS Quadra CTC. Lazo, British Columbia
• Vernon CTC. Vernon, British Columbia
• Albert Head CTC. Victoria, British Columbia
• Rocky Mountain CTC. Cochrane, Alberta
• Cold Lake CTC. Cold Lake, Alberta
• Whitehorse CTC. Whitehorse, Yukon
• HMCS Ontario CTC. Kingston, Ontario
• Blackdown CTC, Borden, Ontario
• Connaught CTC. Nepean, Ontario
• Trenton CTC. Astra, Ontario
• Bagotville CTC. Alouette, Quebec
• Valcartier CTC. Courcelette, Quebec
• HMCS Acadia CTC. Clementsport, Nova Scotia
• Argonaut CTC. Oromocto, New Brunswick
• Greenwood CTC. Greenwood, Nova Scotia

5 Cadet Flying Training Centres

• Comox CFTC. Lazo, British Columbia
• Gimli CFTC. Gimli, Manitoba
• Mountainview CFTC, Ameliasburg, Ontario
• St Jean CFTC. Richelain, Quebec
• Debert CFTC. Debert, Nova Scotia

1 Cadet Music Training Centre

• Mont St-Sacrement CMTC. Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier, Quebec

1 Contracted Delivery Site for Advanced Aviation Technology Courses

• Canadore College. North Bay, Ontario

Cadet Instructors Cadre (CIC) Officers are members of the CAF whose primary duty is the safety, supervision, administration, and training of Cadets. They must be Canadian citizens, between 18 and 64 years of age, and have a secondary school diploma or equivalent. They must also meet the CAF’s medical standards as well as the screening requirements common to organizations working with youth. For example, they must have a valid Police Records Check and Vulnerable Sector Screening.

CIC Officers belong to the Cadet Organizations Administration and Training Service, a sub-component of the Reserve Force which includes both commissioned officers and non-commissioned members. They work with Cadets an average of one evening and one weekend day per week. However, they may spend additional time organizing and planning activities, and many continue to be active during the summers while taking part in specialized programs and activities. As members of the Reserve Force, CIC Officers are paid for their work. They may also receive additional pay for attendance on training courses, summer employment, or other activities. Many CIC Officers choose to volunteer additional time to the program.

• Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers website
• National Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers mobile app
• Entitlements of injured cadets

The Junior Canadian Rangers is a youth program led by the Department of National Defence (DND). The DND provides the structure, personnel, and uniforms. Training expertise, supervision, funding and training aides come from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).^{Footnote 14}  Junior Canadian Rangers are not CAF members.

The program is open to all youth aged 12 to 18 years who live in remote and isolated communities of Canada. It promotes traditional cultures and lifestyles.

The Junior Canadian Rangers form part of a patrol when the program exists in their community.^{Footnote 15}  According to the Junior Canadian Rangers Patrol Directory, there are 4,271 youths participating in over 135 patrols.

Under the supervision of qualified Canadian Rangers, adult volunteers, and other CAF members, Junior Canadian Rangers participate in a variety of activities. Many of these activities involve three important “circles” of training: Ranger Skills, Traditional Skills and Life Skills. For more information about this training and participation in summer camps, consult the What Junior Canadian Rangers do website with its Frequently Asked Questions.