The Air Cadet League of Canada is a civilian, non-profit, community-based and volunteer-led organization that in collaboration with the Department of National Defence and our other partners, is dedicated to supporting the objectives of the Royal Canadian Air Cadet program. The purposes of the League are to advance the education of the Air Cadets and to promote an interest in the air element of the Canadian Forces, specifically:
- To increase knowledge of aviation by providing educational programs and resources, including flight and ground crew training, guided visits to science and aviation facilities, and aviation-related awards and scholarships;
- To encourage the development of citizenship and leadership through enrichment activities such as effective speaking and music, community volunteer opportunities, and academic awards and scholarships; and
- To provide air cadet training as a means of promoting the efficiency of the armed forces.
ORGANIZATION – NATIONAL LEVEL
The League is governed by a Board of Governors comprising fifteen Canadian Citizens, representing all provinces and territories. The Board meets annually, chooses a President, Vice-Presidents, Executive Committee, National Honours and Awards Committee, National Fund Raising Committee, National Finance Committee, National Flying Committee, Policies and Procedures Committee, Effective Speaking Contest Committee and National Selections Committee. There is also an Advisory Council made up of the Past-Presidents of the League. The Board maintains a full-time administrative headquarters in Ottawa under the supervision of the Executive Director. This office works closely with NDHQ and provides year-round supervision and administration of the Air Cadet League and its numerous activities.
ORGANIZATION – PROVINCIAL LEVEL
There are twelve Provincial Committees, one for each province, one for the Northern Territories, and one for N.W. Ontario. The membership comprises all local Sponsoring Committee Chairmen, plus such other persons as may be elected. Provision is made for prominent and influential citizens to associate themselves with the Provincial Committees as members of Advisory Councils. Provincial Committees meet annually, elect a Provincial Chairman, Vice-President and other officers and, in some cases, employ full-time secretaries or managers.
In a number of provinces there are also Regional Committees which come under the jurisdiction of the Provincial Committee. Provincial Committees supervise the activities of all Air Cadet units in their respective areas and are financed by means of public subscription and the support of their member squadrons.
ORGANIZATION – SPONSORING COMMITTEE LEVEL
There are very few paid positions in the Air Cadet League and these are located at the National Office in Ottawa and at some of the large Provincial Committees. Everyone else is a volunteer member of a team or a committee working at the community (squadron) level or Provincial, Territorial or National level. The vast majority of League volunteers (members) work at the community level as part of the SSCs, which are regarded as the backbone of the Air Cadet movement. If it were not for the work of the thousands of volunteers who belong to these committees, then the Air Cadet League could not function. The extent of their involvement varies. For example, members of the squadron level SSC Executive are active throughout the training year. Another member may work only on Special Events or preparing a monthly E Mail letter, or providing transport when the air cadets have to travel. More than four hundred and fifty squadrons, each with a sponsoring committee and support teams, work on behalf of air cadets. Their collective efforts are encouraged and guided by Provincial, Territorial and National Committees, who also provide ongoing liaison with their military partners at the Department of National Defence (DND) and Canadian Forces.
The sponsors of 60 Confederation Air Cadet Squadron are the Kiwanis Club of Charlottetown and the 201 Air Force Wing. Before 1991 the 201 Wing was the official sponsor. Sponsors provide financial aid and are members of the Sponsoring Committee. Squadron-sponsor-change