Canada Post offers free parcel service to families of deployed troops
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Ottawa - Canada Post today announced it will provide free parcel service for family and friends of deployed Canadian troops for the holiday season. Effective October 26 through January 15, 2007 Canada Post will deliver parcels free of charge to designated Canadian Forces Bases, where they will be forwarded through the Canadian Forces postal system to our troops overseas. ""We are pleased the Department of National Defense accepted our offer to send regular parcels, free of charge, from anywhere in Canada to members of the Canadian Forces deployed overseas during the holiday season"", said Moya Greene, president and Chief Executive Officer of Canada Post. ""It is our way of recognizing and supporting our troops and their families during this special time of year when separation is often most keenly felt.""
With capacity limitations on military aircraft carrying supplies to deployed forces, this offer is restricted to family and friends of the servicemen and women serving in Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sinai and Jerusalem. Troops serving on any of the deployed Her Majesty's Canadian Ships are also included in the offer.
""We sincerely appreciate Canada Post's generosity in offering this free parcel service,"" said the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Rick Hillier. ""The importance of helping our troops overseas remain connected with their loved ones in Canada cannot be understated, especially during this time of year.""
To ensure the proper customs declaration form and addressing information, the parcels will need to be deposited at a Canada Post or dealer retail outlet (not a street letter box) where they will be forwarded to Canadian Forces Bases in Halifax, NS, Victoria, BC and Belleville, ON. Once delivered to the military bases, the Department of National Defence will take charge of the parcels and ensure their delivery overseas. Parcels must be addressed to a specific soldier, including rank and mission information.