Important Information for Return to In-Person Training

Hi Everyone!

Once again we thank you for your patience as we work on implementing our return to in-person training. The following information is super important for everyone to know and for a smooth transition.

In-Person Training Approval

Currently we need to submit approvals for every activity we do. Approvals can be cancelled in the 48hrs leading to training due to changes in the COVID-19 environment in our local area.

  • If training is going to be cancelled we will give you as much heads up as we can, but at the latest we will post in on the Facebook Group and Webpage under “Important Notices” no later than 4:00pm on Wednesday nights.

Screening for COVID-19

Staff and cadets are expected to take a screening for COVID-19 and show the Duty Officer the results when they arrive at the unit. To simplify the process please use the COVID-19 Self Assessment - School Screening. Cadets should complete the screening as a “student” and unit staff to complete as “employee”.

  • Please show up to the drill hall with the results ready to go to make the sign in process smoother.

Access to the Drill Hall

There are restrictions put in place by the Drill Hall which is military facility on access:

  • Only Canadian Armed Forces Members (adult staff) and cadets are allowed in the building.

  • No members of the public which includes parents and volunteers are allowed into the facility at this time.

  • All cadets must complete the “COVID-19 Awareness Course”. Cadets will not be allowed in the building if they have not completed it. This will be checked at the door during screening.

    • For instructions on how to take the course please click here.

    • To submit your certificate to the unit please email the copy to Natacha.Rueda@cadets.gc.ca

    • A nominal list of all who have completed it will be checked when when a cadet is signing in.

Units COVID-19 Information

The website has a page called “COVID-19 Procedures” where you can find information on d screening, cleaning protocols, reference materials etc. Please check that page first.

If you have other COVID-19 related questions please reach out to Captain Rueda the COVID-19 Officer at Natacha.Rueda@cadets.gc.ca

Welcome Back 2021-2022 Training Year 

We are excited to welcome back all our cadets and parents/guardians to this new training year. We know you have many questions and rest assured you will get answers soon. 

As directed by our Chain-of-Command the cadet program in our region can only re-start limited in-person training starting October 2021. Currently, all the 2784 staff and senior cadets are working hard at planning and organizing a return to training for October. 

We are waiting for a critical regional meeting at the end of the month that will provide us with further guidance based on how the COVID-19 pandemic evolves. We will be given further instructions on if we are proceeding with limited in-person training, blended, or virtual training, and supporting policies/procedures. Once that meeting is conducted, we will provide everyone with the updated information. 

In the meantime, we are working to roll out the following information and procedures to support a smooth transition to in-person training: 

  • Procedures for uniform exchange;

  • Emailing of annual validation forms;

  • Development of a reference guide on the COVID-19 procedures that will be implemented at the unit; and

  • Tracking of completion of the COVID-19 Awareness Course for all cadets (instructions are on the website main page under “Important Notices”.)

  • All important COVID-19 information can be found here.

Next Steps 

In the meantime, while we start to roll out the activities mentioned above, we ask you to: 

  • Cadets – Complete the COVID-19 Awareness Course if you have not done so already.

  • Cadets – Join us and CWO Nguyen virtually on September 22nd and for a "Welcome Back Social” and catch up with what everyone was doing this summer (CAP Training/ VCTC/ etc.).

  • Cadet/Parents – Check your emails for the “Cadet Annual Validation Form” and complete and return as soon as possible.

  • Cadet/Parents – Staff callouts to all registered cadets are being conducted to pass on additional important information.

We are excited to get this new training year started and we continue to thank everyone for their patience and flexibility as we navigate these unprecedented times. 

Message from the Minister of National Defense

Every day, Defence Team members uphold the values of peace, freedom, and respect for the dignity of all people.

Recently we have seen sobering evidence that, for many of you, these values do not match your own lived experiences. We have listened and reflected on the words from those who have shared their accounts of sexual misconduct.

To every member in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and every person in the Department of National Defence (DND) who has been affected by sexual harassment and violence and felt that we were not there to support you, I am truly sorry.

Experts inside and outside National Defence have highlighted the gaps in our policies and practices that have led us to fail our fellow team members, and we recognize that bold action is needed to transform the culture of the Defence Team to one of dignity and respect. 

This culture change must be comprehensive, lasting and address the systemic challenges at the root of the problem, including any value, policy, or practice that results in discrimination, biases, harmful stereotypes, abuses of power, or other harmful behaviours.

To begin understanding and addressing these challenges, the Government of Canada is setting up an Independent External Comprehensive Review of our institutional policies, practices, programs, procedures and culture.

This review will be led by Madam Louise Arbour, former Supreme Court Justice, carried out transparently, and with input from appropriate stakeholders. It builds on the report prepared by former Justice Marie Deschamps in 2015, taking a broader look at how and why our existing workplace dynamics enable harmful behaviours, and how we must change to address them.

In addition and support to this review, we are also standing up a new organization—the Chief, Professional Conduct and Culture.

Under the leadership of LGen Jennie Carignan this team will be responsible for creating the conditions for cultural transformation. They will unify, integrate, and coordinate efforts across the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces.

Their goal is ensuring that our actions and behaviours reflect the very best parts of our organization, and Canadian society. We’re dedicated to creating lasting culture change across the Defence Team.

At the same time, we know we must do more to support people when they’ve been harmed. Recent announcements in Budget 2021 have outlined financial support for new programs to address sexual misconduct and gender-based violence across the Defence Team. These include a partnership with Veterans Affairs Canada to develop a peer support network for CAF members, and continued efforts to implement the Declaration of Victims’ Rights in our military justice system, to name a few.

These are just the first of many new steps that we are taking to build on the positive aspects of our culture while shedding the toxic and outdated values, practices, and policies that harm our people.

I remain grateful every day for the hard work I see from all members of the Defence Team. I am proud of the work you do. The efforts we are starting today are my commitment to ensure that every member of the Defence Team can go about their work with dignity, respect and a renewed trust in the organization that supports them. You deserve no less.

The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan
Minister of National Defence

COVID-19 UPDATE - SUMMER OVERNIGHT TRAINING CANCELLATION

As it was announced earlier this week, the decision to cancel overnight summer training activities was made by the Command Team. Please find below some information and videos released by our leadership on the decision and what we can expect moving forward.

Video #1 - Cmdre Kurtz

As you may recall that earlier this year we communicated our intended plans for the upcoming summer 2021 activities. Today, you will see two additional videos being released: Colonel Carlson, our Deputy Commander, will explain what is in the works for the summer; and our Formation Chief Warrant Officer, CPO1 Bliss, will speak to how we can expect to see the Program evolve in the future." — Cmdre Kurtz

Video #2 - Col Carlson

“As you may have heard in the first video today, the Commander Cadets and Junior Canadian Rangers has cancelled all overnight in-person training activities for cadets this summer. Stay tuned for the third video from Formation Chief Warrant Officer, Chief Petty Officer First Class Bliss who will explain the way forward for the Cadet Program." — Col Carlson

Video #3 - CPO1 Bliss

“The Formation Command Team felt it was important that after you watched the Commodore’s video about the summer 2021 announcement as well as the Deputy Commander’s video on what the summer of 2021 will look like, you got an appreciation of where we see the program going forward.”- CPO1 Bliss