Canadian Cadets Movement

The Canadian Cadet Organizations, marketed under the term Cadets Canada, are youth cadet programs known as the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, Royal Canadian Army Cadets, and Royal Canadian Air Cadets. The program is sponsored by the Canadian 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.

Cadet corps and squadrons exist in communities large and small from coast to coast to coast. 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 the American Civil War. These early drill associations served to train militia 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. The Riel 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.

Girls were not permitted to join the cadet corps until July 30, 1975, when existing legislation was amended to allow them to join.