Cadets across Ontario are celebrating Cadets Week, including those in Cornwall. Cadets from 2403 SD&G Highlanders Royal Army Cadet Corps, and 325 Cornwall Kiwanis Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron, in conjunction with the City of Cornwall, raised the Cadets Canada flag on Friday 4 October 2024, marking the kick off to Cadets Week 2024. Mayor Justin Towndale was present, when the flag was raised at the clock tower in Lamoureux Park, downtown Cornwall. FSgt Zaida Emedi had the honour of raising the flag.
Cadets Week was started in 2022 when the Ontario legislature passed Bill 45 in April 2022, proclaiming Cadets Week to be an annual week of recognition of the Cadet program’s importance in developing youth. The week is starts on the first Saturday of October.
Canada has a dynamic cadet program with numerous cadet corps and squadrons across Ontario. The Air Cadet League, Ontario Provincial Committee; the Army Cadet League of Canada (Ontario); and the Navy League of Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Armed Forces, provide programs for air, army and sea cadets 12 to 18 years of age.
All of the cadet programs assist young people to develop skills that serve them well in their transition to adulthood. Cadet programs focus on physical fitness, leadership, citizenship and teamwork skills, providing experiences not found anywhere else.
Cadets are active members of their communities and make valuable contributions to society on a daily basis. Proclaiming Ontario Cadets Week will honour the outstanding young Canadians whose unique personal and collective development through cadet programs will help them be successful in Canadian society, as well as recognizing those who support the programs directly and indirectly.
Cornwall is home to 3 cadets units, all parading in the Cornwall Armoury, which is home of the SD&G Highlanders. Locally, cadet units offer opportunities such as marksmanship, biathlon, marching band, flying, sailing, and adventure training, at no cost to join.
For more information on the cadet program, visit cadets.ca
