The document provides information about sending mail to Canadian Forces personnel deployed on board MV ASTERIX. It outlines two options for sending mail - via the Canadian Forces morale mail service or Canada Post. The CF morale mail service is free but has size and weight limits, while Canada Post requires postage but allows tracking and other special services. It emphasizes filling out customs declarations correctly and provides prohibited items lists. Contact information is given for mail drop-off locations.

1. MV ASTERIX

2. Sandra Pinard
Deployment Coordinator

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

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

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

6. A few tips from our families:
• Put contact and emergency information on your
fridge
• Include the MFRC number (fridge magnet)
• For the partner at home, consider unlocking the
cell phone and putting emergency contact
information on the phone
• Update Emergency Contacts with schools
• What about your pets?

8. The MFRC’s Top 3 Tips
1. Plan well - Ensure you know how to contact us
2. Learn about the available resources
3. Get connected

9. 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”
• If eligible for an MFID, get one!
• Fill out your Family information
form

10. Know what resources are available
• MV ASTERIX Family
Network
• MFRC Sea Deployment
Handbook
• MFRC Resource and
Information tables
• MFRC website:
www.esquimaltmfrc.com

11. Get Connected
• Join the ASTERIXFamily Network
– Network volunteers: Lia
asterix.family@shaw.ca
• Join the ASTERIX Family Facebook Page
• Monthly Social Opportunities
Join the ASTERIX Family Network to receive emails and updates on
activities and information from the ship.

12. Types of Workshop offered
• Preparing for Deployment Workshops :
– R2MR Part 1 (all adults) July 17, Aug 21
– R2MR Part 2 (those with children) July 24, Aug 26
– Build Your Own Everything Binder July 29
“Helping another is always the best way to help yourself”

13. Types of Events
• Monthly Coffee Sessions (day and evening)
• Monthly Deployment Bingo
• Paint Nights (twice a month)
• Formation Fun Day Sept 7
• Westcoast Welcome Sept 28
• Thanksgiving Brunch Oct 12
“Helping another is always the best way to help yourself”

14. Types of Events
• Special events
–Axe Throwing Sep 14
–Music Bingo – Sat evening weekly
–Motorcycle Bike Rides Aug 25, Sep 15, Oct 13
–Bowling Aug 24
–Spooky Dinner and Movie Oct 25
–Halloween Dkyd Ghost Walks Oct 26
–Christmas at the Admiral’s Residence Dec 1
“Helping another is always the best way to help yourself”

15. 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.

16. Parenting From Afar
Pick up a copy or
download the PDF
Go to our website and
check out the E-tool
Raising your Military Child

17. • Help you get an
emergency plan in place
• Help assist in finding
Emergency Child Care
Emergencies

18. Prepare your Family Care Plan

19. What do you think is the
top service request of
loved ones of deployed
members ?

20. 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 Saturday
mornings Don’t forget to get your
Military Family ID Card
before your member
deploys

21. 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.
• Family lives out of town? Fill out an envelope with
your loved ones address and we will send them a
deployment package.
Be sure to give our contact information to your loved ones.

22. Examples:
–Bill payments
–Banking
–Insurance for car or home
–Bank loans
–Mortgage payments
–Buying or selling property, including cars and houses
–Pay issues
• It does not include decisions about your personal or health
care
Power of Attorney (POA)

23. 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 transactions
•Assets, esp. real estate
•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 (POA)

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

25. • SAFEGUARD THE ORIGINAL POA
• DO NOT LET THE MEMBER TAKE IT WITH
THEM ON DEPLOYMENT
The Power is in the Document

26. Wills
• Basic CAF Will is adequate for:
 First marriage
 Single members
 Simple finances
 No children

27. 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
Wills

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

29. • 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
MFRC webpage
Travel Authorization Letter

30. Contacting a Deployed Member
Esquimalt MFRC
(250) 363-2640
Or toll-free anywhere in Canada
1-800-353-3329
After hours Duty Padre Line –
call the MFRC and Press “2”

31. Contact
Esquimalt MFRC
(250) 363-2640
Or toll-free anywhere in Canada
1-800-353-3329
emfrc@shaw.ca
www.esquimaltmfrc.com
After hours Family information
Line : 1-800-866-4546
The Esquimalt MFRC is on Facebook and Twitter!!

32. 32
DEPLOYMENT
POSTAL BRIEFING
Deploymen
t
Mail

33. 33
TWO WAYS TO SEND YOUR MAIL:
Canadian Forces (CF) morale mail service
Canada
Post

34. 34
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)

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

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

37. 37
CORRECT MAILING ADDRESS
FOR MV ASTERIX PERSONNEL
Aye Missew
123 My St
Victoria BC V9A 7N2
Tel-765-4567
Smith A.Pte 123 (Mess #)
MV ASTERIX
PO BOX 17000 STN FORCES
VICTORIA BC V9A 7N2
Contents:
Chips
Newspapers
Books
Sender’s
address
Addressee
Description of
contents
Canada Post Custom Declaration is
MANDATORY!

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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 only to a Military Post Office
Currently free letter mail

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

40. 40
CANADA POST CUSTOMS DECLARATION
Sender:
Same as
on parcel
Destination:
Same as
on parcel
Description of contents
$20.00
*NCV
Sign herex
*NCV = No Commercial Value

41. 41
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

42.  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
42

43.  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
43

44. Supplementary
restrictions according to
host country will be told
to the MFRC
44
PLEASE NOTE:
Note: Batteries are
permitted only if they
are in their original
sealed package

45. 45
ALL PARCELS WILL
BE
SCREENED

46. 46
CF MAIL ROUTINGS
Mail will be sent via CMTT
Timings are
unpredictable

47. 47
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.

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