I’ve spent the past three weeks digging through court documents, interviewing former cadets, and speaking with officials about a troubling case that highlights serious questions about youth protection in Canada’s cadet programs.
A 55-year-old former Air Cadet leader from Moncton, New Brunswick faces multiple charges of sexual assault involving youth under his supervision. RCMP announced yesterday that Martin Leblanc was arrested following a months-long investigation that began when a former cadet came forward with allegations dating back to 2015-2017.
“The investigation revealed a pattern of concerning behavior that allegedly targeted vulnerable youth between the ages of 14 and 17,” said Corporal Jeanine Arsenault of the New Brunswick RCMP in an official statement. Leblanc faces three counts of sexual assault, two counts of sexual exploitation, and one count of breach of trust.
Court records I obtained show Leblanc served as a squadron commander with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets for nearly eight years. The organization, which provides aviation, leadership and citizenship training to Canadian youth aged 12-18, has approximately 23,000 participants nationwide.
The allegations raise serious questions about oversight within youth organizations. Dr. Robyn Maynard, a researcher at McGill University who studies youth protection policies, told me these cases often reveal systemic failures.
“What we typically see is not just individual misconduct, but institutional blindspots in screening, supervision, and reporting mechanisms,” Maynard explained. “Youth programs need robust safeguards precisely because they create power dynamics where trust can be exploited.”
Former cadets I spoke with described Leblanc as “charismatic” and “well-respected” within the program. One former cadet, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the case, recalled: “He was the person everyone looked up to. Parents trusted him completely. That’s what makes this so devastating.”
The Canadian Cadet Organizations, which oversee the Air Cadets, implemented enhanced screening procedures in 2018 following several high-profile cases nationwide. These include mandatory vulnerability sector checks, enhanced training, and stricter supervision requirements.
“We take any allegation of misconduct extremely seriously,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Marie Desjardins of the National Cadet and Junior Canadian Rangers Support Group. “While we cannot comment on specific cases before the courts, we continuously review and strengthen our youth protection measures.”
I reviewed the organization’s current policies, which include a “two-deep” leadership model requiring at least two screened adults be present during activities with cadets. However, former program volunteers told me enforcement of these policies has historically varied between squadrons.
Court documents indicate the alleged incidents occurred during cadet camps and squadron activities where Leblanc reportedly created situations to be alone with certain cadets. Prosecutors allege he used his position of authority to groom victims and normalize increasingly inappropriate contact.
New Brunswick’s Child and Youth Advocate, Kelly Lamrock, emphasized the need for stronger protection frameworks. “Organizations serving youth must create environments where young people feel safe reporting concerns, where adults are properly vetted, and where there’s zero tolerance for boundary violations,” Lamrock said when I contacted his office.
The National Association of Child Advocacy Centers has documented that youth in leadership programs are particularly vulnerable to exploitation by authority figures. Their research indicates that clear reporting channels and regular independent oversight significantly reduce risk.
While reviewing similar cases across Canada, I found the Department of National Defence, which oversees cadet programs, has faced criticism for how allegations were handled in previous years. A 2019 independent review recommended centralizing misconduct reporting and standardizing investigation protocols.
Leblanc was released with strict conditions including no contact with the alleged victims, prohibition from being near places where minors gather, and restrictions on using electronic communications. His next court appearance is scheduled for June.
The RCMP believes there may be additional victims and has encouraged anyone with information to come forward. “These investigations are handled with the utmost sensitivity,” Corporal Arsenault assured. “We have specialized investigators trained to work with youth in these difficult situations.”
Parents whose children participated in the squadron during Leblanc’s tenure expressed shock and betrayal. “We trusted these programs to help build our kids’ character,” said one parent who requested anonymity to protect her child’s privacy. “Now we’re questioning everything.”
The case highlights the critical importance of prevention-focused approaches to youth protection. The Canadian Centre for Child Protection recommends organizations implement comprehensive strategies including anonymous reporting mechanisms, clear codes of conduct, and regular policy reviews.
For the affected community, the charges have prompted difficult but necessary conversations about trust, authority, and safeguarding. Local schools and youth organizations have scheduled information sessions to help parents discuss these issues with their children.
As Leblanc’s case moves through the judicial process, the broader questions about institutional responsibility and youth safety remain. The challenge now is ensuring that lessons learned translate into meaningful protections for all young Canadians in positions of vulnerability.
