Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to announce that Canada's air cadet movement is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. Individual squadrons are marking the occasion with various activities throughout this anniversary year.
Since 1941 approximately 1.2 million young Canadians have participated in air cadets. Membership is free and cadets are not expected to pay for their uniforms or training.
The focus of today's air cadet movement is on citizenship and leadership, with an orientation toward aviation. Through cadet training young people between the ages of 12 and 19 years of age learn the value of initiative, respect, self-reliance, discipline, teamwork and leadership.
I offer congratulations to all air cadets, past and present, and commend and thank the officers, instructors, parents, volunteers and sponsors, in particular Captain Javed Khan, commanding officer of Banshee 778 Squadron, for his dedication and efforts over the past several years to the air cadet movement in my community of Richmond Hill.