Cheryl Gallant Applauds Free Mail Delivery To Troops

October 25, 2007

OTTAWA – Today in the House of Commons, Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MP Cheryl Gallant received a positive response to her query about free mail delivery to Canadian troops overseas.

“Mr. Speaker, many Canadians show their support for our brave men and women in uniform by writing letters of encouragement to them.  I understand that Canada Post will start to provide free delivery of letters from family and friends to Canadian troops deployed in Afghanistan and elsewhere overseas. Can the Minister responsible for Canada Post explain this initiative to the House?” asked Gallant to uproarious cheers from other MPs.

Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon explained that Canada Post will start providing free delivery of letters and parcels from family and friends to Canadian troops deployed overseas on Oct. 26. Free letter delivery will continue until the start of 2009 while free parcel delivery will end on Jan. 11, 2008.

“Nothing is so important to a soldier in the field as a letter from home.  Whether it is news from the family or a welcome package from a friend, mail delivery is vital to our men and women who are serving overseas.  Military personnel from CFB Petawawa are currently deployed to Afghanistan and this decision will be welcome news for their families here in the riding.  This is a direct line of communication that is giving loved ones an opportunity to share some holiday spirit,” said Gallant.

This free delivery offer extends to family and friends of the deployed troops serving overseas in war zones, including members of the Canadian Forces serving in Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Sinai and Jerusalem, and troops serving on any of the deployed Canadian ships.

“Canada’s Government knows that support for our military comes in many forms – but no support is as strong as understanding the needs of the individual soldier, sailor and airman and ensuring they have the means to stay in touch with friends and family in Canada while they are serving their country overseas,” said Gallant.

To ensure the proper customs declaration form and addressing information are used, the letters and parcels will need to be sent from one of Canada Post’s more than 6,600 full service retail outlets across the country — letters and packages dropped in regular street letter boxes will not qualify for free delivery. They will then be forwarded to Canadian Forces Bases in Halifax, N.S, Victoria, B.C. and Belleville, ON. Once delivered to the military bases, the Department of National Defence will take charge of the letters and parcels and ensure their delivery overseas. All mail must be addressed to a specific soldier, including rank and mission information.