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HMCS Ottawa Family Network

Connect with others going through the same experience, participate in social activities, and get the latest updates on deployments and work-related absences.

Contact Information

Family Network Volunteers:Yeonjin
Email:[email protected]
Facebook Group:HMCS Ottawa Family Network
HMCS Ottawa on Social Media:Facebook, Instagram, 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.

Victoria Royals Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night Contest

Win a seat in a luxury suite at the Victoria Royals hockey game on November 3rd, 2024. Contest closes October 25th.
Learn more

Canada Post: Christmas Postal Service

You will be able to send care packages free of charge from any Canada Post Retail Outlet to designated overseas locations from October 15, 2024 to January 15, 2025.
Learn more

During Deployment & Absence Resources and Services

Currently experiencing a deployment or work-related absence? Discover the resources and services available to you and your family.
More information

HMCS Ottawa Pre-Deployment Brief Recap

Here is the recording from the HMCS Ottawa Pre-Deployment Brief (minus operational security information) that was held on Thursday, September 5th, 2024. 


 The slideshow from the session can be found below.

Morale Mail Information for HMCS Ottawa

Drop off your care packages during regular business hours at either:

  • Colwood Pacific Activity Centre MFRC location
  • Signal Hill MFRC location (*This location is currently closed.)
  • 443 Squadron

The mailing address for this deployment is:

RANK / LAST NAME / INITIAL
SHIP NAME, MESS #   
PO BOX 17000 STN FORCES
VICTORIA  BC  V9A 7N2

Important Notes: 

  • Wrapping supplies (i.e. tape, paper, scissors) are available at our Colwood and Signal Hill MFRC locations. 
  • International customs forms will be available. 
  • Due to the use of international mailing carriers, mail may arrive out of order. Numbering your parcels or marking them with “open on this date” may be helpful to ensure they are opened in the order you intended. 
  • If you are mailing from out of area, we suggest adding 10 days to the advertised cut-off date to allow for parcel travel to Victoria.  
      

For more information on mailing guidelines and restrictions, check out our postal page.

Care Package Collection Box for Deployed Members 

Did you purchase too much for your care package? We will be accepting items at the Colwood MFRC location to create care packages for deployed members not receiving them. Please consider contributing your extras to help uplift the spirits of members currently deployed onboard HMCS Ottawa. Care packages will be sent to the ship throughout their deployment.  

 A few ideas of items that could be contributed are: individually wrapped snack items (ie. chips, granola bars), microwave popcorn, candies, and puzzle books. 

Programming at the MFRC

Wellness Wednesday - Mindful Creativity

In October, we will encourage you to explore using artistic expression as a mode of self-care.
Register

Community Kitchen

Enjoy cooking delicious meals and connect with other military families in this facilitated and fun cooking program.
Register

Fast Friends (Ages 8-15): Bookish Night

Calling all book lovers! Come join other bookworms to enjoy activities to celebrate our love of reading. 
Register

Growing Parents

A supportive and educational group for new and expecting parents. Guest Speakers and topics related to pregnancy and parenting babies up to 12 months of age.
Register

Parent & Child Programming

The MFRC offers several in-person options for parents to meet other parents, and for children to connect.
Stay & Play 123 Music & Me

Programming for Children and Youth

Respite Child Care During Absences

Available at no cost when a military parent is deployed or away for work-related reasons for 21 consecutive days or more. 
More information

Supporting Children Through Absence

Help your child(ren) adjust to a parent being away on a deployment or work-related absence.
Learn more