Evidence of meeting #128 for National Defence in the 42nd Parliament, 1st session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was recruiting.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, CPC
I'm sorry, but time is short.
I'd be interested to know the percentage of cadets who continue on to a career in the Canadian Armed Forces. I know they were popular.
LGen Charles Lamarre
We can talk about cadets for these two individuals.
I want to come back quickly to the recruitment age. You're asking me if we're targeting a specific age. The answer is no. However, we must respect the law. Sixteen year-olds can enter the reserves with the permission of their parents, but we are not allowed to deploy them on operations until they are 18 years old. This is important, and we respect that, of course. There is the problem of child soldiers. We wouldn't want to be part of something illegal.
I will turn things over to my colleagues, who can talk to you about the excellent cadet program.
LGen Jean-Marc Lanthier
I'm not responsible for the cadet program, but since I represent 50% of the Canadian Armed Forces, I have a very strong interest in cadet corps.
The organization currently has approximately 52,000 cadets. One of the explicit goals of the cadet program is to encourage young people to be good citizens and develop their leadership skills, but also to stimulate their interest in service. It's a start. It's not recruitment, but it shows the camaraderie that exists in the army, like the one that was illustrated in the ads you mentioned at the time.
Unfortunately, I don't have the number with me, but a significant number of the serving members were cadets. For example, Vice-Admiral Lloyd of the Royal Canadian Navy, Lieutenant-General P.F. Wynnyk and the Chief of Defence are from the same cadet corps. This demonstrates the effectiveness of such a system in stimulating—
Chicoutimi—Le Fjord, CPC
What is the ratio of young women to young men among cadets?
LGen Charles Lamarre
We don't have the exact figures. There are more young men in the cadet corps, but there are still a lot of young women. Two weeks ago, I was in Borden—
LGen Charles Lamarre
—and I inspected a parade of cadet corps. The commander and sergeant major of the youth cadet corps were female. They are very successful in this area.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Stephen Fuhr
Thank you very much.
I'll ask you to indulge us for just a minute or two. I believe Mr. Spengemann has a motion he wants to put forward to do with an upcoming meeting we have in short order.
Liberal
Sven Spengemann Liberal Mississauga—Lakeshore, ON
Yes, thank you very much.
I will read the motion:
That notwithstanding the motion of Thursday, February 18, 2016 concerning attendance at in camera meetings, that for the meeting of Tuesday, February 26, 2019 only, certain individuals related to the study concerning a Briefing Session on Canada and the Ukraine Crisis be allowed to remain in the Committee room to hear the testimony.
Conservative
Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
Who's allowed to stay in the room and who's not?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Stephen Fuhr
Based on our original agreement, if you go back a few years, it was basically that, at an in camera meeting, it was a member and one staff.
Conservative
Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
So the first statements are allowed to be.... Okay.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Stephen Fuhr
Right.
Does anyone have a problem with this? We've all been very supportive. I think it's for the benefit of all involved, but I'm going to need unanimous consent to do it.
James.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
I have a quick question.
Is this a request by the Ukrainian delegation or is it a request by the UCC?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Stephen Fuhr
It was UCC.
My question went to the deputy minister of defence, if he was okay with it, and the answer I got was yes, he was okay with it.
Conservative
James Bezan Conservative Selkirk—Interlake—Eastman, MB
He's okay with it.
As long as it's okay, and everybody is on the same page, I'm good with it.
Conservative
Cheryl Gallant Conservative Renfrew—Nipissing—Pembroke, ON
On a point of order, is that a notice of motion or is that an actual motion?
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Stephen Fuhr
It's an actual motion.
Because it was agreed-upon rules from a couple of years ago, I believe we need unanimous consent to make an exception, and I'm seeking unanimous consent to facilitate that meeting.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Stephen Fuhr
(Motion agreed to)
Witnesses, thank you very much for participating in this very important discussion and for your service to Canada.
The meeting is adjourned.