- Canadian Cadet Movement
The Canadian Cadet Organizations, marketed under the term
Cadets Canada , are youth cadet programs known as theRoyal Canadian Sea Cadets , Army Cadets, and the Air Cadets. The program is sponsored by theCanadian Forces , funded through the Department of National Defence, with support from the civilian The Navy League, The Army Cadet League and the Air Cadet League, as well as local community sponsors that include service organizations and parents of cadets. [cite web|url=http://www.dnd.ca/site/newsroom/view_news_e.asp?id=844|title=Backgrounder: The Canadian Cadet Organizations|date=1998-07-16|publisher=Department of National Defence|accessdate=2008-05-27]Cadet corps and squadrons exist in communities large and small from coast to coast to coast. [ [http://www.cadets.ca/directory-repertoire/intro_e.asp Cadets | Cadet Unit Directory ] ] Cadets are not members of the Canadian Forces nor is the program a prerequisite for military service.
History
In 1862, 5 years before Confederation, "drill associations" were set up in Canada as a response to the
Fenian Raids and theAmerican Civil War . These early drill associations served to trainmilitia and were open to people over the age of 13.In 1879, the government authorized the creation of 74 "Association [s] for Drill in Educational Institutions", drill associations that were open to male youth over the age of 14 and which did not entail active service in the military.TheRiel Rebellion of 1885 motivated increased support to these youth drill associations. By 1887, they were called the cadet corps, and were open to boys over the age of 12. [ [http://www.cadets.ca/about-nous/histo_e.asp Cadets | About Us | History ] ]Girls were not permitted to join the cadet corps until
July 30 ,1975 , when existing legislation was amended to allow them to join.References
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