Commander Belair outlines key information for families of sailors deploying aboard HMCS Ottawa, including command priorities and support services available. Sunday family information sessions will be held monthly to provide updates. The MFRC and chaplain services can also assist families as needed. Legal assistance is available from the AJAG office on topics like powers of attorney, wills, and travel authorization letters. Choosing an appropriate attorney who will act in the family's best interests is an important consideration.

1. 341
POSEIDON CUTLASS 2017
FAMILY BRIEF
Commander Sylvain Belair
Commanding Officer

2. Commander Sylvain Belair
Lieutenant-Commander Chris Rochon
Chief Petty Officer 1st
Class Alden Darragh
Command Team

3. 3
Command Intent and Priorities
FAMILIES ARE PART OF OUR TEAM
•People first / Mission always
•Support Sailors and families
• Ensure support services are in place and available
• MFRC / Padre / Mail / Legal / Medical / Communications
• Ensure families are kept apprised of our activities
• Sunday session dates Apr 2 / May 7 / Jun 11 / Jul 9 / Jul 30
• Ensure family activities are planned

4. Leave Travel Assistance (LTA)

5. • The purpose of LTA is to reimburse CAF
members for some expenses paid while on
leave to meet a family member.
• Any members sailing with OTTAWA who
reside with their dependants and are not
normally entitled, will be entitled to claim LTA.
Purpose of LTA

6. • Family member (hierarchy for LTA)
– Dependant (as defined in CBI 208.997) is a
member’s spouse or common-law partner
– In respect of a member who has no dependant, a
member’s child
– In respect of a member who has no dependant
and no child, the member’s parent
– In respect of a member who has no dependant, no
child and no parent, the member’s sibling
Definitions

7. • Principal Residence
– In respect of a member with a dependant:
• (a) is located:
– (i) at the place to which the member’s HG&E were last moved at
public expense;
– (ii) at the place of the member’s HG&E on the date the member
enrolled in the Regular Force unless the member has
subsequently moved at public expense; or
• In respect of a member without a dependant, a residential property
that a family member occupies for more then 183 days in a
continuous 365 day period.
Definitions (cont’d)

8. • Commercial Carrier
– Is any commercial airplane carrier, train or bus carrier.
– Bus must be at least a provincial line, not a local metro transit system.
Definitions (cont’d)

9. • A member of the Regular Force; or
• A member of the Reserve Force who is both on Class B or C
Reserve Service and authorized to move household goods
and effects at public expense for the purposes of that Class B
or C Reserve Service.
Who is Eligible to LTA?

10. • The member must be on leave under QR&O Chap 16
• Member has a family member.
• During leave, either the member travels to see a family
member, or a family member travels to see the member
(Reverse LTA).
• The member provides proof of travel to an authorized
destination.
Conditions for LTA

11. • LTA is authorized in respect of the travel expenses of only one
person.
• LTA is authorized once every fiscal year and travelling that
spans two fiscal years is deemed to have occurred in the fiscal
year in which the travel commenced. A fiscal year runs from
01 Apr XX – 31 Mar XX.
– This Means: If you normally take LTA at Christmas,
but use it during the trip, you will not be entitled
to a second LTA at Christmas
How Many Persons & How Many
Trips?

12. • In respect of a member with a dependant, LTA is authorized
for travel:
– By the member to their principal residence, to a
spouse’s or common-law partners' place of duty,
or to a third location where a dependant is; or
– By a dependant to the member’s place of duty or
to a third location where the member is. (Reverse
LTA)
Authorized Destinations – (cont’d)

13. • In respect of a member without a dependent:
– By the member to a principal residence or to a
third location where a family member is; or
– By a Family member to the member’s place of
duty or to a third location where the member is.
(Reverse LTA)
Authorized Destinations – (cont’d)

14. • The amount of the LTA is the lesser:
• of the actual cost of return travel by commercial carrier; and
• of the amount determined by a formula that uses current
kilometric rates (***these change on a monthly basis, but not
by much)
Amount – Travel within Canada
and USA

15. • OTTAWA members will be travelling from outside of Canada and the
United States, the monetary entitlement will be the lesser of:
– The actual cost of return travel by commercial carrier from the
member’s place of duty to the principal residence; and
– As of today, the maximum any member would be entitled to claim for
LTA would be $2422.02
Amount – Traveling from outside
CANUS

16. • Authorized Leave Pass
• Flt itinerary/quote if flying
• Come to the PAY Office
• Verification of Entitlement by
completing and signing
the form
What Do You Need to Initialize the
Claim? Verification of Entitlement for LTA
Refs: CBI 209.50
SN: ___________ Last Name: ___________ First Name:_____________
Unit:______________ COS/Posted since:_____________
TD/Attached Posted since: _______________
1. Have you taken an LTA during this Fiscal year (1 Apr 14 to 31 March 15)?
Yes / No
2. Do you have a Spouse/Common Law partner and/or children?
Ref: CBI 209.50(2)
Yes / No
IF YES  Do they live with you? Yes / No
3. Are you separated from your family member for service reasons such as
TD/Course/Attach Posting/Posting?
Yes / No
4. Who are you going to visit during your LTA?
Full Name ___________________________________
Relationship (specify: dependant (spouse), child, parent, sibling):
___________________________________
Full Address _____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
5. Will YOUR marital status or family situation change during your LTA (For
reasons such as marriage, birth of a child, etc…)
YES / NO
6. I am requesting an advance of ________________. I recognize that in the event
that my flight is less than the requested advance that recovery action may be taken
against my pay for the difference.

17. • Boarding passes
• If you traveled by commercial transportation.
– If you bought directly from WestJet, or Air Canada
or through a third-party, you need to bring the
itinerary and proof that you made the purchase.
– *Note: Additional booking fees from a third-party will not be
reimbursed
What Do You Need to Finalize the Claim (cont’d)

18. • For Reverse LTA, you must bring in the arrival boarding passes
for the family member who visited you.
If you traveled by PMV, receipts along the way and at the
destination will be required. Proof that you drove to your
authorized location is at the Pay office discretion. Keep your
receipts!
What Do You Need to Finalize the Claim?(cont’d)

19. 2 x days administration
+ 5 x days post-deployment
_______________________
7 x working days total
*** Members sent home earlier than 90 days will receive a
lesser amount based on how long they have been away
Post-Deployment Leave
(90 Days deployed or more)

20. Sick Bay

21. • Daily “sick parade”: Much like you would receive
in a walk in clinic,
• Urgent care: Staff is trained to provide urgent
care such as suturing, IV therapy, IV antibiotics
etc;
• Emergent care: Staff is trained in Advanced
Cardiac Life Support, Advanced Trauma Life
Support, & Advanced Military Trauma
Resuscitation. If a situation outside the skill set of
the PA there is a 24 hour line that will connect
them to any specialist they require.
Care Provided

22. • OTTAWA always maintains a picture of local/allied
evacuation and medical support facilities
– Nearest hospitals
– United States Navy Medical Support Ships
– Helicopter Evacuation
• The senior leadership of the ship takes the crews health as
a priority.
• The patient will always travel with a medic and an escort
• Family will be contacted in accordance with the members
direction on their Next of Kin form by:
– Formation Chaplain Services
– Senior Fleet Staff
EVACUATION

23. • If you ever feel that your family member is ill
or their mental health has changed please feel
free to get in touch with the MFRC, Base Duty
Officer or Padre
– Contact info in the booklet provided
• They will inform me of your concerns and I in
turn will see that your loved one gets the help
they need.
Family Support

24. Base Chaplain Services
Padre (Capt) Eliza Shanahan
Chaplain’s office: (250) 363-4030; and
Rear Party Chaplains : Padre David Godkin
Padre Eliza Shanahan

25. • The team is excited and ready to go!!!
• It’s been a long road
• Your loved ones have worked extremely hard
to get us to where we are
• Bottom line:
– We will work hard to keep the lines of
communication open and stay connected with you
– We will work hard to ensure the support and
services are provided to you during our
deployment
Command Team - Final
Thoughts

26. More then a Team = A
family

28. Your Community,
Your Resource Centre
“offering programs and services unique to the
military lifestyle. ”

29. We support those who are
important to you
The MFRC proudly honours
the diversity of “families”

30. Key to Successful Deployments
Research shows that families that are well
prepared, know where to turn in case of
emergencies and have strong support systems
deal most successfully with deployments.

31. A few tips from our families:
• Put contact and emergency information on your
fridge
• Include the MFRC 24/7 number (fridge magnet)
• For the partner at home, consider unlocking the
cell phone and putting emergency contact
information on the phone
• If you live alone leave your key with someone you
trust, give your landlord the MFRC 24/7 number…
we will find you!
• What about your pets?

32. The MFRC’s Top 3 Tips
1. Plan well - Ensure your family knows how to
contact us
2. Learn about the available resources
3. Get connected

33. Plan and Prepare
• General checklists as well as
specific ones for Single
Members and Parents of
Military Members
• Pick up a MFRC Magnet
• Download the “Everything
Binder”
• Make sure eligible family
members have their MFID
• Fill out your Family information
form

34. Know what resources are available
• HMCS Ottawa Family
Network
• MFRC Sea Deployment
Handbook
• MFRC Resource and
Information tables
• MFRC website:
www.esquimaltmfrc.com

35. Get Connected
• Join the HMCS Ottawa Family Network
– Network volunteers: Tori and Hillary
Ottawa.family@shawcable.com
• Weekly Away Café Sessions
• Bon Voyage “Brown bag” dinner Monday
March 6 5:30-8:00pm
• HMCS Ottawa Meet and Greet Session Monday
March 13th
6:30-8:30pm.
“Helping another is always the best way to help yourself”

36. Upcoming Activities
• Preparing for Deployment Workshops (R2MR):
– Part 1 (all adults) & Part 2 (those with children)
Thursday Feb 23rd, 6:30-8:30pm
• Children’s Deployment Workbook Session
– In house Monday Feb 27th
6:30-8:30pm
– WebEx Tuesday Feb 28th 6:00-8:00pm
• Weekly Drop In Coffee Sessions
• Monthly Deployment Dinner by donation
Join the HMCS OTTAWA Family Network to receive emails and
updates on activities and information from the ship.

37. HMCS Ottawa Sunday Sessions
• Dates Sunday April 2, May 7, June 11, July 9 & 30th
Sunday Session Schedule
Time
• 10:30-11:00am Network Planning Session
• 11:00 – 12:00pm CO’s Presentation
• 12:00 – 1:00pm Potluck Lunch
• Location: MFRC - CPAC
Join the HMCS OTTAWA Family Network to receive emails and
updates on activities and information from the ship.

38. Children’s Workbooks / Workshops
Complete the “Pre-Deployment activities with
your children.
Two options for offering your child support
throughout the Deployment
- Onsite Children’s Workshops
- At Home Children’s Workbooks with virtual
support for the “at home” parent via the web.
Parent Session Feb
27th
6:30pm (In
house)
Feb 28th
6pm
(WebEx)

39. Top Four Service requests by loved
ones of Deployed Members
1. Free Mail drop off
2. Staying in Touch Service
3. Networking Opportunities
4. Respite Childcare (including Saturdays)
Don’t forget to get your
Military Family ID Card
before your member
deploys

40. Single Members
You are part of a family too!
Services Provided
• SIT service for loved ones – wherever they may
be
• Postal services and VTCs
• Information services such as; pet care, car
storage, etc.
• Virtual updates for those that live out of area.
Be sure to give our contact information to your loved ones.

41. Virtual Deployment Services
Virtual Deployment Services
• Parenting Support
• Online Workshops
• Sunday Session Follow-ups
• Children’s Workbooks
Children’s
Deployment
Workbook Session
Feb 28 6pm
(WebEx)

42. Contact
Esquimalt MFRC
24-hours a day / seven days a week
(250) 363-2640
Or toll-free anywhere in Canada
1-800-353-3329
mfrc@shawcable.com
www.esquimaltmfrc.com
The Esquimalt MFRC is on Facebook and Twitter!!

43. LCol Simpson
fAssistant Judge Advocate General (Pacific Region)

44. • AJAG Legal Assistance
• Power of Attorney (POA)
• Wills
• SDB Beneficiary Form
• Travel Authorization Letter
Discussion Points

45. • Front Office: 250-363-4260
AJAG Contact Info

46. • Legal Officers may provide assistance to CF
members in case of urgent / operational
necessity
• Personal Legal Assistance not intended to
replace civilian legal services available
downtown
• 250-363-4260
AJAG Legal Assistance

47. Legal document signed by one person (the
“Donor” or “Maker”) to allow another
person (the “Attorney”) to act on behalf of
the Donor.
Power of Attorney (POA)

48. Important Considerations
CHOOSING YOUR ATTORNEY:
• MUST BE SOMEONE YOU TRUST

49. Important Considerations
CHOOSING YOUR ATTORNEY:
• MUST BE SOMEONE YOU TRUST
• Not someone you just met
WANNA BE MY
ATTORNEY?

50. Important Considerations
• MUST BE SOMEONE
YOU TRUST
• Not someone who has
had financial problems
(e.g. bankruptcy)
CHOOSING YOUR ATTORNEY:
Will
Do
POA

51. CHOOSING YOUR ATTORNEY:
• MUST BE SOMEONE YOU TRUST
• Not someone you are not getting along with (e.g.
estranged spouse)
Important Considerations

52. Important Considerations
CHOOSING YOUR ATTORNEY:
• MUST BE SOMEONE YOU TRUST
• Must be legally competent to contract (19+ years old)

53. Important Considerations
CHOOSING YOUR ATTORNEY:
• MUST BE SOMEONE YOU TRUST
• Not someone you just met
• Not someone who has had financial problems
• Not someone you are not getting along with
• Must be legally competent to contract
• Must Consent

54. Picking the wrong attorney
• Drain bank accounts.
• Liquidate assets.
• Buy assets with your money.
• Does not respect your wishes.
Attorney

55. • The financial or business arrangements that can be
conducted with a POA include:
– Insurance for car or home
– Bank loans
– Mortgage payments
– Buying or selling property, including cars and houses
– Pay issues
Power of Attorney

56. • Do you need a Power of Attorney?
– Some banks have their own “in-house” power of attorney
forms so check with your bank first;
– Online banking
– Does not apply to joint assets / accounts
Note: a POA does not give the attorney the power to make
health care or child care decisions
Power of Attorney

57. • Give clear instructions, help the attorney
understand what the donor wants done
• Make sure it will be accepted by the
institutions where it would be used
• Complete any other documents that the
attorney cannot do (i.e. statutory
declarations)
Duties of the Donor

58. • Must act in good faith
• Follow the instructions of the donor
• Perform transactions with due skill and care
• Cannot delegate the power of attorney
• Must respect the title (ownership) of the
donor’s property and money
• Must keep proper accounts/records
Duties of the Attorney

59. • SAFEGUARD THE ORIGINAL POA
• DON’T TAKE IT WITH YOU ON
DEPLOYMENT
The Power is in the Document

60. • Terminating events
– IAW the terms (e.g. an expiry date)
– If attorney is spouse – end of marriage or
marriage-like relationship
– Death or bankruptcy of the attorney
– Death of the donor
– Legal incapacity
– Attorney renounces
Termination of POA

61. • If you want to stop your attorney acting for
you:
– Advise them in writing (email is ok)
• If you revoke the power of attorney, make sure you
contact your bank to inform them
• Get the original document back
Revocation by the Donor

62. Wills
• Legal Document which provides how you want yourLegal Document which provides how you want your
assets managed and distributed on your death.assets managed and distributed on your death.
• Also used to name Guardian(s) for minor childrenAlso used to name Guardian(s) for minor children
• Used to set up trusts and provide for dependantsUsed to set up trusts and provide for dependants

63. • When a person dies without a will or “Intestate”
their property vests in the court
• The province then uses a set formula to distribute
estate, which may not be what you want
• See the Wills Estates Succession Act for more details
or contact a civilian lawyer
Why You Need a Will

64. Wills
Sample
Intestacy
Process
Start Mom
Sister
Son
Lawyer
Tax
Crown

65. CF Will
• Basic CF Will is adequate for:
First marriage
Single members
Simple finances
No children

66. • Suggest you get a Will from a Civilian Lawyer if:
– Second or subsequent marriage
– Home owner
– RRSPs, trust funds, stocks etc.
– Children
– Wish to have several persons as beneficiaries
• Will Kits May or May Not be Valid
Civilian Will

67. • You should re-do or revisit your Will if:
– Children are born
– Death (of executor or beneficiary)
– Change of life circumstances
– You move to another province
– You get divorced (or your marriage-like
relationship ends)
Need to Re-Do Your Will?

68. • Review SDB Beneficiary form –
changes in circumstances (i.e.
marriage) will not automatically
change SDB beneficiary
Supplementary Death Benefit (SDB)
Beneficiary

69. • Can be signed by any Reg Force Commissioned
Officer
• Is proof that you consent to your child traveling
with a spouse or another person
• May assist you when crossing border to US or other
borders with children
• Example letter available for download from the
AJAG webpage
Travel Authorization Letter

70. 70
DEPLOYMENT
POSTAL BRIEFING
Deployme
nt Mail

71. TWO WAYS TO SEND YOUR MAIL:
Canadian Forces (CF) morale mail service
Canada
Post

72. CF MORALE MAIL SERVICE
Free Service
Drop off at the local MFRC or Fleet /
Naden Mail Offices
No special services available with
CF Morale Mail (i.e. parcel tracking or
express post)

73. WEIGHT AND SIZE FOR PARCE
The maximum weight for parcels is
20kgs
Oversize and overweight parcels will
not be accepted.

74. Example
40 CM
Max weight:
20Kgs 100 CM40 CM
MAXIMUM SIZE FOR MORALE
MAIL PARCEL

75. Aye Missew
123 My St
Victoria BC V9A 7N2
Tel-765-4567
Smith A.Pte 123 (Mess #)
HMCS OTTAWA
PO BOX 17000 STN FORCES
VICTORIA BC V9A 7N2
CORRECT MAILING ADDRESS
FOR HMCS OTTAWA PERSONNEL
Contents:
Chips
Newspapers
Books
Sender’s
address
AddresseeDescription of
contents

76. MAIL SENT VIA CANADA POST
Process at any Canada Post outlet
Postage is required on all parcels
Special services including insurance, Registered Mail, Xpresspost,
Priority, etc are only in effect until it reaches FMO
Proof of delivery to a Military Post Office
Currently free letter mail

77. John Doe
123 My St
Victoria BC V9A 7N2
Bloggins B.PO1 123 (Mess #)
HMCS OTTAWA
PO Box 17000 STN FORCES
VICTORIA BC V9A 7N2
MAIL GOING THROUGH CANADA POST
Return address
Addresse
e
Canada Post Custom Declaration is
MANDATORY!

78. CANADA POST CUSTOMS DECLARATION
Sender:
Same as
on parcel
Destination:
Same as
on parcel
Description of contents
$20.00
*NCV
Sign here
x
*NCV = No Commercial Value

79. IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT IMPORTANT
ON THE CUSTOMS
FORM REMEMBER TO
FILL OUT THE LIST OF
CONTENTS AND DO NOT
FORGET TO SIGN AT
THE BOTTOM

80. • Alcoholic beverages and tobacco
products
• Corrosive liquids/solids, flammable
liquids/solids
• Pornographic material
• Knives
• Drugs and narcotics (including
prescription drugs)
• Compressed Gases (aerosols)
• Perishable items

81. Supplementary restrictions
according to host country
PLEASE NOTE:
Note: Batteries are
permitted only if they are
in their original sealed
package

82. ALL PARCELS WILL
BE
SCREENED

83. CF MAIL ROUTINGS
Mail will be sent via CMTT
Timings are
unpredictable

84. CF MORALE MAIL DROP OFF
POINTS
Signal Hill MFRC
CPAC MFRC
Fleet Mail Office
Naden Mail Room
A list of out of area locations is available at all drop off locations
Note: Wrapping paper and tape are available at all drop off
locations.

85. CONTACT INFORMATION:
FMO (250) 363-2176
MFRC (250)363-2640