OTTAWA — Canada Post will start October 26th providing free delivery of letters from family and friends to Canadian troops deployed overseas until the start of 2009. Note that Canada Post will again this year provide free parcel service for family and friends of deployed Canadian troops for the coming 2007 holiday season.

“The words of encouragement written by families and friends to men and women deployed overseas are a very special form of support,” said MP Ron Cannan. “I know that my constituents in Kelowna-Lake Country have friends and family who are serving our country overseas. Canada Post is providing them an opportunity to send their love and support to our troops. This will be especially welcome during the holiday season.”

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 strongly supports our men and women in uniform, and we welcome this very positive initiative to help our troops overseas remain connected with their loved ones in Canada,” said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. “As Minister responsible for Canada Post, I am pleased that the corporation has decided to undertake this initiative, and I hope that many Canadian families will take advantage of this opportunity.”

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 full service retail outlets in Kelowna-Lake 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, Nova Scotia, Victoria, British Columbia and Belleville, Ontario. 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.

For more information: Ron Cannan 613 992-7006