INUVIK
The future of the Army Cadet program in Inuvik is in question and the former commanding officer has made public his reasons for resigning from the position after eight years of volunteering.

In 2012, the Inuvik Army Cadet Corp was lead by Capt. Paul MacDonald, left, who has resigned from the position after eight years. - photos courtesy of Paul MacDonald

"I posted it publicly on The Truth About Cadets Canada Facebook page. There was information on there talking about how Cadets is suffering because of bureaucracy," said Paul MacDonald, former commanding officer, adding that he feels it is important to inform others that he resigned for that reason.

"I'm hoping when other people see me standing up for what's right and calling people on the bureaucracy and how heavy handed it is, that maybe the top brass in Ottawa will take notice and say something needs to be done."

The Inuvik Drum reported in June that MacDonald had submitted his resignation, effective October 2013, but stayed on in the position for nearly a year following in order to allow the cadets to take part in the 2014 summer camp in Whitehorse.

Since then, no replacement has been found, which MacDonald said goes back to the same challenges of bureaucratic dealings with the organization.

"Two individuals in town were asked if they would take over the position, both with military backgrounds," said MacDonald. "One hung up laughing, and the other said 'No.'"

With no replacement for the commanding officer position, the Inuvik Army Cadet Corp is on an indeterminate hiatus.

"The parents were made aware back in June that it was, at the moment, shutting down until a replacement could be found," said MacDonald.

"I need a break. It's nothing to do with the kids. The kids were excellent. The corp was functioning well."

In his four-page letter of resignation, MacDonald outlined some of the accomplishments and positive changes within the corp during his tenure.

Increasing participation to 30 cadets at its peak from three cadets, bolstering community support and fundraising more than $110,000 are just some of the highlights, in addition to a slew of accreditation among the corp and positive impacts on the lives of the cadets.

MacDonald emphasized that it was not the cadets or a lack of support in the community that contributed to his need to resign from the position.

"With all these accomplishments over the past eight years, fire, floods and natural disasters can't kill our unit but the bureaucracy from (Royal Cadet Support Unit Northwest) certainly has," MacDonald wrote in his resignation. He went on to clarify that he is not leaving Inuvik, but simply cannot continue on in the position as it stands.

Having brought his concerns forward previously, with no adequate response offered, MacDonald's resignation was imminent and he said he is concerned for the future of the program.

"At the moment, it's disbanded and it's quite sad. I put eight years of work into it and I'm disappointed it has come to this," said MacDonald. "No one wants to step forward, knowing what the issues are. I'm worried there won't be Cadets in Inuvik anymore."

Cadets Canada could not be reached for comment.