Cadets won’t be coming to Vernon this summer

Apr 15, 2020 | 1:53 PM

The Canadian Armed Forces has cancelled all in-person Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers programs until the end of August due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

That includes the annual Cadet Training Centre in Vernon which normally brings over 1,000 cadets to the city for several weeks of programs in July and August.

The Vernon facility has operated every summer since 1949.

(file photo/Vernon Matters Staff)

A statement from National Defence said the cancellation was made for the safety and security of all the participants.

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“Combined with our commitment to developing in youth the attributes of good citizenship and leadership, it was clear to me that Canada’s Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers programs could not in good faith carry on with our planned summer activities while the rest of the Canadian Armed Forces is gearing up to assist Canadians in the face of COVID-19, and any other challenges they may face,” Dave Cochrane, commander, National Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers Support Group said.

“Therefore, that is why, I have made the decision to cancel all in-person cadet and JCR training activities until 31 August 2020 and have directed that every cadet and JCR have their training qualifications for this current training year marked as completed,” he wrote.

The cancellation decision will affect local training, corps and squadron trips, cadet summer training and activities, in-person training for cadet instructors cadre officers, and, in coordination with the Canadian Army, the JCR enhanced training sessions.

“This was not an easy decision, nor was it made in isolation,” Cochrane added. “I have consulted far and wide to ensure that I am taking a measured response to the challenges that lie before us. In order to rise to that challenge, I will require cadets, COATS members, our volunteers, and key stakeholders including league representatives, to come together — not only to bounce back, but to help improve and enhance the Cadet and JCR programs for the next generation of young Canadians when training is forecasted to resume in September 2020.”

by Pete McIntyre

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