Guidance on Gender Inclusion

19 September 2023
Ref : CANCDTGEN 006-23 CJCR Interim Guidance on Gender Inclusion
Canadian Armed Forces Ethos: Trusted to Serve
Effective immediately, in accordance with the above-noted order and in the spirit of an inclusive, safe squadron for people of all genders and identities, all personnel will have the option to choose from male, female, and gender-inclusive facilities.

Depending on the infrastructure of the activity’s location, gender-inclusive washroom accommodations may take the form of:

  • Designating a single washroom/shower room as ‘Use for All’ or gender neutral;
  • Providing change rooms and shower facilities with privacy curtains; or
  • Establishing set timings for facility use.

On overnight activities such as Field Training Exercises (FTX), cadets and staff will be invited to select which facilities they wish to use. Requests for accommodations should be sent to the Officer of Primary Importance for the activity. A request to use facilities or lodgings that do not align with the person’s sex assigned at birth will not be interpreted as ‘coming out’ as transgender and does not need to be justified.


Safety, both physical and psychological, is paramount. All personnel are reminded of the conditions of the code of conduct to which they have agreed to participate in the Canadian Cadet Organizations, and that harassment, abuse, and hateful conduct will not be tolerated. The expected behaviour – respecting privacy, refraining from any sexual activity including jokes or gestures, and respecting the dignity of all persons – remains unchanged, regardless of which facilities are used.


Further, cadets now have the option of disclosing their gender, to be recorded on their cadet file, distinctly from their sex assigned at birth. They may indicate, as on Canadian passports, M, F, or X. This will be kept strictly confidential and is only to help with activity planning and to help staff address the cadet correctly. It will not be indicated on the Annual Validation Forms, so cadets need not worry that the information will be shared inadvertently. Any cadet who wishes to update their file to reflect their gender should contact the Commanding Officer.

As a reminder: all persons will be referred to using the pronouns of their choice. If pronouns are not known:

  • use rank and last name;
  • use gender neutral pronouns based on individual preference; or
  • proactively share your pronouns and invite the individual to share their pronouns, should they so desire.

Questions concerning the interim guidance may be directed through the Chain of Command. As a reminder, this is a national directive that is supported by the staff and cadets of 872 Kiwanis Kanata. It is aligned with the policies and directives of the Defence Team, particularly the Canadian Armed Forces Ethos, ‘Trusted to Serve’, and is designed to foster an environment where all personnel feel supported and empowered to demonstrate their authentic identities.


For resources to support cadets, staff, and family members seeking support navigating what can be an awkward or contentious discussion of gender and sexuality, please reach out to 872aviation@cadets.gc.ca or consult the following links:
http://www.protectchildren.ca/
https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/programs/member-assistance.html
http://www.kidshelpphone.ca/
https://familleslgbt.org/en/families/
https://pflagcanada.ca/
https://www.mamadragons.org/
https://wocrc.ca/
https://www.ysb.ca/