HMCS Ottawa Family Network

Evening Hours: Colwood MFRC Front Desk
Finding it difficult to connect with us during our regular business hours? We are offering a special evening opportunity on March 12th! Learn moreContact Information
Family Network Volunteers: | Yeonjin and Sheila |
Email: | [email protected] |
Facebook Group: | HMCS Ottawa Family Network |
HMCS Ottawa on Social Media: | Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) |
When you join the Family Network for HMCS Ottawa, you will receive important updates on deployments and work-related absences, information on social activities, and have the opportunity to connect with others going through the same experience.
Register with us to receive deployment and work-related absence support by becoming a part of your Family Network, connecting with the MFRC local to you, and/or receiving support in French.

Return and Reintegration Resources and Services
HMCS Ottawa Homecoming Information
Welcome Home HMCS OTTAWA and GRIFFIN!
HMCS OTTAWA and their helicopter GRIFFIN will be coming home from deployment on Monday, March 24th, 2025.
For Dockyard (B Jetty):
*You must be listed by your homecoming military member as a guest to enter Dockyard. Ensure you confirm with them that you are on the access list.
7:00am: Shuttles from the parking lot to B Jetty commence for HMCS OTTAWA guests
9:30am: HMCS OTTAWA passes Duntze Head
10:00am: HMCS OTTAWA comes alongside B Jetty
Shuttles back to the Canteen Rd. parking lot commence
*If you have limited mobility and require assistance, please be sure your military member makes note when adding your name to the access list.
Parking will be available at the parking lot located on Canteen Road (see purple start on map here). No special DND parking pass is required.
- Government issued photo ID is required for guests aged 18 and over to access Dockyard.
- Dress for the weather – it’s colder than you think on the Jetty.
- Tents will be in place to provide shelter in the event of inclement weather.
- Breakfast sandwiches and beverages will be available.
Please note, unfortunately, we are unable to accommodate all dietary preferences and allergies. - Portable toilets will be available.
- Bring strollers for the smaller children; there will be room on the buses for these and people on hand to assist.
- There is no smoking permitted on the jetty.
- Dogs will be authorized to access Dockyard for the homecoming. Your dog must be listed on the access list by your homecoming military member as a guest to enter Dockyard. Please read through these directions on attending with a dog.
Media Disclaimer
Photography will be taking place and the images could appear on social media (no names will be attached). If you do not wish to be included in any images, please let us know and we will do our best to notify any photographers. Please bear in mind that everyone has a phone/camera and we can only control our own official photographers.
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the MFRC at 250-363-2640 or [email protected].
Monthly Information Session for HMCS Ottawa (March 2025)
Here is the recording from the Monthly Information Session for HMCS Ottawa (minus operational security information) that was held on Saturday, March 8th, 2025.
Morale Mail Deadline for HMCS Ottawa
The morale mail deadline for this deployment is Thursday, February 6th, 2025.
Care Package Collection Box - Thank You
Thank you to those who contributed items for the creation of care packages for members not receiving mail. Approximately 497 care packages have been created and sent to HMCS Ottawa during their deployment. We have received extremely positive feedback from those onboard, and they thank everyone for their support.
Watch the Family Network pages for information on this initiative for future deployments!
Banner Making Pickup Kits
Did you miss out on registering for Banner Making? We’ve extended the deadline for pickup kits until Friday, March 21st!
Let the MFRC assist you in preparing for your loved one’s homecoming by supplying you with all the materials needed to make welcome home banners and decorations. To reserve your kit, email [email protected] and let us know how many adults and children will require materials. Kits can be picked up from our Colwood MFRC location during regular business hours.
Programming at the MFRC
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Drop-In Morning Coffee Connections
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Wellness Wednesday: Rest and Restore (Esquimalt)
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Tiny Tales with Story Studio (Ages 3-5)
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Parent & Child Programming
Programming for Children and Youth
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Fast Friends (Ages 8-15): Write with Story Studio - Strange Characters!
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Supporting Children Through Absence
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