94 Squadron was originally formed in 1941 in Stouffville, Ontario. The squadron’s staff was comprised of Air Force officers that were stationed in Camp Borden. The purpose of the air cadets at the time was to groom teenage boys into the military way of life. Youth were pre-trained with military skills and trades and finally enticed to join the Royal Canadian Air Force. In the early 1950s the war was long over, staff were unavailable and the squadron was disbanded.

In 1960, 94 Squadron was reformed and received its charter from the Air Cadet League of Canada on December of that year. The funds needed to form the Squadron were raised by the founding staff of the new 94 Squadron. The Squadron then became known as 94 Stouffville Squadron and held regular training evening at the Stouffville Legion. 94 Squadron started in 1961 with an enrollment of 31 cadets. Many of the unit’s officers were policemen from the area.

In 1964, the Squadron moved from Stouffville to Newmarket and was known as 94 Newmarket-Stouffville Squadron. Initially training nights were held in the Newmarket Plaza. However, this lasted only a short period and the squadron was moved to Newmarket High School. This too was temporary and Squadron activities were suspended for several months while a search for a new Headquarters was conducted. Finally an abandoned gas station at the corner of Srigley and Leslie streets was converted to Squadron use. It was also about this time that Stouffville was taken out of the Squadron’s name.

In 1971 the Squadron moved to the Old York Manor on Yonge St. where it remained for several years. In 1975, the Squadron moved to its present Local Headquarters in the Optimist Hall of Newmarket. In 2014, the Squadron was parading over 100 cadets and outgrew the Optimist Hall as it's regular parade location. The Squadron parades out of Newmarket High School on Wednesdays, but it's local headquarters and optional training location remains the Optimist Hall.

Today 94 Squadron is sponsored in partnership by the Newmarket Optimist Club, the Squadron Sponsoring Committee, the Air Cadet League of Canada and the Department of National Defence. Membership is approximately 140 cadets and is supported by 20 adult staff and volunteers. The Squadron has a Pipes and Drums Band, two Drill Teams (with and without arms), an Effective Speaking Team, Marksmanship Team and Ground School Program.

Commanding Officer: Capt M. Slack

Training Officer: Capt A. Wilson

Standards Officer: Sgt N. Ziade

Administration Officer: CI B. Chambers

Assistant Administration Officer: CI C. Slack

Supply Officer: Lt C. Thomas

Assistant Supply Officer: CV L. Thomas

Ground School Instructor: CI D. Buller

Band Instructors: CV G. Chambers & CV C. Sourivong

The Officers of 94 Newmarket Optimist Squadron are members of a the Canadian Forces Reserves (Cadets Instructor Cadre) who are specially trained to work with Cadets. Along with the team of Civilian Instructors and Civilian Volunteers, the staff work to provide the best possible training for the youth of Newmarket.

 All of the staff have full time jobs or attend university during the day and spend their evenings and weekends with the cadets. In addition to Wednesday night parades, they all volunteer many days a month running weekend activities and extra training such as Band, Drill Team, Range, Sports, Flying Scholarship and other activities enjoyed by the cadets.

Training Staff:

CV N. Cartmill

CV G. Parkin

CV O. Parkin

CV A. Service

CV H. Slack

CV B. Vaneck

The official sponsor of 94 Squadron is the Optimist Club of Newmarket. Since 1975, the Optimist Club has provided with office space for its local headquarters, as well as storage space and funding. The Royal Canadian Air Cadet program is a unique partnership between the Department of National Defence and the Air Cadet League of Canada. At the community level, the Sponsoring Committee represents the Air Cadet League and is responsible for managing the Squadron’s finances and fundraising, organizing facility permits and providing food, transportation and other support contracts not provided by DND.

Contact the SSC 

To contact the Squadron Sponsoring Committee in regards to assessment fees, donations/fundraising opportunities or to volunteer with the SSC, please email.

SSC Chair: 094chairperson@aircadetleague.ca

SSC Treasure: 094.treasurer@aircadetleague.on.ca