The Air Cadet League of Canada is a volunteer organization that provides financial support and oversight to the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. The Air Cadet League owns all of the aircraft used in the Air Cadet Gliding Program. The idea for the entire league began in 1940, when Air Minister Power called in a group of civilians and asked them to set up a country-wide voluntary organization to sponsor and develop this growing movement. At the end of the Second World War many squadrons that had been set up "for the duration" were disbanded and the movement settled down to a low point of approximately 11,000 cadets in 155 squadrons. On February 1, 1968, the Air Cadet League lost its original partner, the Royal Canadian Air Force, and unification brought about a new partnership with the Canadian Ar