5530-4 Cadets Volunteering with Navy League Cadets

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

1. Identification

Date of Issue: 2022-11-14

Date of Verification: N/A

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), as well as Sea, Army and Air Cadets.

Supersession: CATO 11-09, Volunteering with the Navy League Cadets

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

Office of Primary Interest (OPI): CJCR HQ DCOS Strat Plans

Enquiries: CJCR Strat Plans Mgr

2. Abbreviations​​

Abbreviation	Complete Word or Phrase
CAF	Canadian Armed Forces
CJCR	Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers
Comd	Commander
DND	Department of National Defence
HQ	Headquarters
RCSU	Regional Cadet Support Unit
MoU	Memorandum of Understanding

3. Definitions

Cadet.

A cadet means a person not less than 12 years of age but less than 19 years of age who belongs to a cadet organization (Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, Air Cadets, or Junior Canadian Rangers) authorized by the Minister pursuant to section 46 of the National Defence Act.

Navy League Cadet Program.

A program for youth aged 9 to 12 that is owned and operated by the Navy League of Canada. This program is not affiliated with the CAF or the Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers programs.

Navy League Cadet.

Youth participant of the Navy League Cadet Program between the ages of 9 and 12.

4. Policy

Context

• 4.1 The Navy League Cadet Program was founded by the Navy League of Canada in 1948 and is offered to youth between the ages of 9 and 12. Navy League Cadets are taught seamanship skills, and participate in sports and citizenship activities. Individual corps, under the leadership of Navy League Cadet Officers and assisted by volunteers, typically deliver this training one evening a week and conduct activities on occasional weekends.
• 4.2 The Navy League Cadet Program is an independent organization and is external to the CAF. The Navy League organization and associated staff, including Navy League Cadet Officers, are not members of the CAF.
• 4.3 Navy League Cadet Corps are often co-located in communities which are also home to CJCR corps or squadrons.

Policy

• 4.4 Comd CJCR has authorized all cadets participating in the Sea, Army, and Air Cadet Programs who are in Year 4 or Year 5 to volunteer with the Navy League Cadet Program. This volunteer opportunity presents an excellent opportunity for cadets to support local like-minded organizations and further develop their personal leadership skills.
• 4.5 Cadet participation in the Navy League Cadet Program is entirely voluntary, and is not a requirement for continued membership or advancement in the Cadet Program. Navy League Cadet Program activities are not associated with, and are external to, the CJCR. As such, cadets are not required to wear their uniform when volunteering in activities external to the Cadet Program.
• 4.6 Applications, found at Annex A, to volunteer with the Navy League Cadets must be submitted on an annual basis.

5. Wearing Cadet Uniform While Volunteering

• 5.1 Comd CJCR authorizes corps/squadron COs to approve requests for cadets to wear their uniforms when volunteering with the Navy League Cadet Program.
• 5.2 In accordance with QR(Cadets) 5.21, Personal Appearance, the dress and appearance of cadets in uniform will, during these occasions, be such as to reflect credit on the CCO.

6. Supervision

• 6.1 The CAF is not responsible for the direct supervision of cadets while they volunteer with the Navy League Cadet Program, nor do they regulate involvement in such activities. Cadets who are authorized to volunteer must be supervised by the cadet’s parent or other adult.
• 6.2 The CAF cannot guarantee that Navy League Cadet Program staff have undergone vulnerable sector screening, or that minimum supervision ratios of staff to youth participants are maintained. The Navy League of Canada does have a policy in place to conduct vulnerable sector screening on all adult volunteers that have direct contact with Navy League Cadets. Parents should inquire with the Navy League Cadet Program if they wish to obtain further information regarding the staff screening process and youth supervision policies.

7. Liability and Insurance Coverage

• 7.1 The Navy League of Canada has undertaken to provide accident and liability insurance coverage to cadets who are volunteering with the Navy League Cadet Program. Cadets and parents should inquire with the Navy League Cadet Program to obtain more information regarding insurance coverage.
• 7.2 The CAF is not liable for any injury or damages arising out of, or in connection with, cadet participation in Navy League Cadet Program activities.

Cadet Duty

• 7.3 Voluntary participation in Navy League Cadet program activities is not considered to be an authorized cadet activity for the purpose of QR(Cadets) art. 1.02, Definitions. Further to this, cadets are not considered to be on cadet duty as defined in QR(Cadets) art. 1.02, Definitions when volunteering with the Navy League Cadet Program while wearing, or not wearing, their cadet uniform. As such, cadets are not entitled to CAF provided medical or dental benefits as outlined in QR(Cadets) acts. 6.12, Entitlement to Medical Care - Cadets and 6.21, Entitlement to Dental Treatment – Cadets should an injury or other damages occur when voluntarily participating in Navy League Cadet Program Activities.

8. Obligations of Corps/Squadron Commanding Officers

• 8.1 Before approving a request from a cadet to volunteer at a Navy League Cadet Program event, COs must ensure that:
  1. participation by cadets does not create a real, apparent, or potential organizational conflict of interest for the CAF or CJCR;
  2. activities do not create a potential for adverse public perception, and do not otherwise contravene a federal, provincial, territorial act or regulation or a DND/CAF directive, order or policy;
  3. cadet images or participation will not be used for actual or implied CAF endorsement of products or services of any third party event sponsors or donors except in accordance with CJCR Gp Order 2008-1, Public Affairs; and
  4. the cadet and their parent or guardian have completed and signed Annex A, Application to Volunteer with the Navy League Cadet Program.

9. Privacy Policy

• 9.1 The personal information of cadets and CJCR personnel must be managed in accordance with the Privacy Act, the Treasury Board Policy on Privacy Protection, and other applicable regulations, orders, and policies.

10. Publication

Frequency of Publication

• 10.1 Annual or more frequent review and updates, as required.

Errors/Omissions or Suggestions

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

11. References

Source References

• QR(Cadets), article 1.02, Definitions
• QR(Cadets), article 5.21, Personal Appearance
• QR(Cadets), article 6.12, Entitlement to Medical Care - Cadets
• QR(Cadets), article 6.21, Entitlement to Dental Treatment – Cadets
• CANFORGEN 136/15, Charities, Solicitation, Sponsorships, Donations And Acceptance Of Gifts, Hospitality And Other Benefits
• Privacy Act

Related References

• Dress Instructions
• Privacy Regulations
• Framework for the Management of Compliance, Treasury Board
• Policy on Privacy Protection, Treasury Board
• CJCR Gp Order 2008-1, Public Affairs

Annex

Annex A

Application to Volunteer with the Navy League Cadet Program