Hon. Ratna Omidvar: Honourable senators, I wish to share with you and with all Canadians one of Canada’s best-kept secrets: the air cadets. I have lived long enough in this country to appreciate its myriad glories, and yet I only became aware of the air cadets when my granddaughter Nylah joined them on entry into high school.

The Royal Canadian Air Cadets is a Canadian national youth program for youth between 14 and 23 administered by the Department of National Defence. I have since then visited, with Nylah, ceremonies and activities that take place in Toronto, which are likely the same all across the country. The young members are taught survival skills, public speaking skills and citizenship responsibilities, and they are even introduced to flying. They visit places of national importance, such as the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton or CFB Trenton. They take part in national ceremonies. Nylah, as a leading air cadet, represented the squadron at Remembrance Day in Toronto.

They regularly raise money for charities — often from grandparents — through collective efforts. Through these activities, they develop new friendships and networks with others across the racial, social and economic spectrum of this country.

Most importantly, I believe that in these days of social media and all kinds of distractions for young teen minds, the Air Cadets provide a place of structure and rules, as well as a place that helps young minds understand our history and institutions. They focus on community service, and foster a sense of social responsibility and civic duty. They nurture the future leadership of Canada. We have one real-life example of that leadership right here in Senator Patterson from Ontario who, in her early days, was a Sea Cadet. Nylah tells me that the Sea Cadets and Air Cadets have a healthy, sporty rivalry between them. I say more to the sporty rivalry if it develops the future leadership of our great country.

The Air Cadets also provide a clear pathway to the future. Nylah is only 14 years old, but, at this point — and things may change — she is firmly planning to attend the Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario. Should she go through with this, her path in the future service to our fantastic country is assured.

Please join me in congratulating the Air Cadets for building a service and leadership bridge between our past, present and future.