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From the moment your loved one enrols in the CF, you become part of the military community and the CF family. We have developed many programs and services to ease the transition to the military family lifestyle. Several weeks before your loved one leaves for basic training, contact the nearest family resource centre for an appointment and plan to spend at least a half-day receiving a briefing on all the services.
Keeping in Touch
Given the rigorous demands of the training schedule over the first few weeks of basic training, recruits do not have much time to themselves or for communicating with home; don't be surprised if you only hear from your loved one once a week. Before you know it, it will be graduation week and families are encouraged to attend the graduation parade in order to share in this special day. Be advised that time together before and after the parade may be very limited.
Recruits receive a great deal of support and encouragement from their instructors, but they also need your encouragement from the home front. Send an e-mail message, a letter, or a care package; you will find addresses and emergency phone numbers in the Basic Training section.
Health Resources
Health Care and Dental CareMembers of the Canadian Forces may subscribe to the Public Service Health Care Plan and the CF Dental Care Plan when they have an eligible dependant. Your spouse/partner is the one who must apply. Note: An eligible dependant is the CF member's spouse and the child of the member or his/her spouse; a spouse is defined as a person married or living common-law or in a civil union with the member, for at least one year without interruption.
More information can be found at: Directorate of Pensions and Social Programs
Or call
Public Service Health Care Plan:
General Inquiries - 1 (800) 267-6542
Health Claim Inquiries (Sun Life of Canada) 1 (888) 757-7427
CF Dental Plan
English 1 (800) 957-9777
French 1 (800) 704-4007
Quebec, other than the National Capital Region - 1 (800) 663-2817
Moral and Psychological Support
The CF Member Assistance Program (CFMAP) is a voluntary, free and confidential service to help CF Personnel and their families address personal concerns that affect their well-being and/or work performance. Your involvement with CFMAP is completely confidential and your records will not be divulged to any other personnel in the CF unless you indicate so in writing.
For a confidential talk, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year call: 1 (800) 268-7708.
You can also visit:
Member Assistance Program.
Active and supportive groups of military spouses/partners can be found online. Canadian Forces Wives and Girlfriends is a Yahoo group established by a military spouse and can be found on their site.
Married To The Canadian Forces is another internet community worth visiting.
Education and Child Care
Military Family Resource Centres across Canada offer various types of day care services as well as activities for your children, from tots to teens. Your children will be able to socialize with people their own age who share similar interests and concerns. They will be able to learn and practice a second language through fun educational activities.
Your Military Family Resource Centre can also help you find resources, should your child have special needs. Your Military Family Resource Centres can help a suitable school for your children. There are usually programs to help youth prepare for and find summer employment. Youth groups get together and organise various social and financing activities. They have their own web site where they can find all sorts of information and exchange ideas.
Many family and special events are organized throughout the year.
Financial Resources
Financial planning for your loved one's absences during training and future operations is essential. Issues like power of attorney, banking Information, making a notarised will, etc. should be settled ahead of time. Get informed about pay, allowances, travel reimbursements, etc. Again your family resource centre can help you get organised. You can also visit the Assistant Deputy Minister (Human Resources - Military) web site for more information on pay and benefits.
SISIP Financial Services
SISIP provides financial products and services such as Insurance, Financial Planning and Financial Education, and income tax preparation exclusively to the military community. Contact them at 1 (800) 267-6681 or visit their web site.
Housing Resources
When you are part of the CF family, moving is a fact of life. At some point after training, your spouse will find out where his or her first posting will be. You will have to choose between military housing or buying/renting a home in your new community.
Buying or Renting a New Home
The Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program helps make your relocation easy and efficient by helping you getting ready for the move, finding a new home, buying a new home, moving, and paying for the relocation. For information, see the CF IRP Site.
Military Housing
Canadian Forces Housing Agency's (CFHA) mandate is to operate and maintain approximately 16,000 military family housing units (married quarters) at Canadian Forces bases and wings across Canada. CFHA also allocates housing to Canadian Forces members and their families, carrying out maintenance and repairs, administering the rent system and managing the housing assets on behalf of the Department of National Defence. To learn more, see their web site.
Your Total Move Planner
Moving is stressful. To help you and your family reduce the stress and to make the transition to your new unit easier, thoughtful planning is essential. You will be getting lots of information to help you with your move. To help you put all of this information together, this web page gives you some points to consider and when to consider them.
Sports and Leisure
Physical fitness is important for military personnel. There are outstanding sports and physical fitness facilities on every base. For a small fee, family members can use these facilities during specific hours.The PSP Recreation Programs offer innovative leisure activities to meet the needs of CF members and their families. Each CF location offers a diverse mix of activities, all designed to promote wellness and enhance the time that families spend together. For more information on Recreation and Youth programs and services ...please contact the National Recreation and Youth Services Manager at 613-995-7802, the National Recreation and Youth Services Coordinator at 613-992-4642, your local PSP community recreation office, or the PSP web site.
Separation and Reunion
The cycle of separation and reunion due to your spouse's absence, for deployment abroad or lengthy training, can be stressful on the family. For any separation over 30 days, you are entitled to deployment support. We can help you through this period and certainly make things easier in the absence of your loved one. Family centres will provide you with information and support is provided on topics such as: The emotional cycle of a deployment or absence; How to prepare for departure; How to prepare children for the departure of a parent; Dealing with the absence; Preparing the return; How to prepare children for the return of a parent; Taking up a new routine after the return.
Need to talk about it? Deployment Support Group (DSG) 1 888 522-7024 or Help line for CF members and their families 1 800 268-7708 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year).
FAQs
Q. My spouse has just enrolled and will off to Saint-Jean in Quebec, while I remain in Prairie Town with my children. Do I immediately have the right to use services and programs of the local Family Resource Centre?
A. Absolutely. As a matter of fact, we recommend that you call and make an appointment to meet with them a few weeks before if possible, so that you and your spouse become aware of all programs and services you are entitled to.
Q. Can I attend the Basic Training graduation?
A. Yes, but be advised that the date and time of the graduation can be given on very short notice and that you may have very little time together before or after the graduation. Most likely, your spouse will be sent directly to the next training base shortly after graduation.
Q. After Basic Training, my spouse will leave again for occupational training. Will we be together this time?
A. In some cases, especially if a course lasts more than 6 months, the family may accompany the military member. This depends on the course.
Q. After Basic Training and Occupational Training, when will we find out where we will be posted and when?
A. Exceptionally, some recruits may find out while at Basic Training where and when they will be posted. In most cases, the recruit gets posted to a training base and then has to put in a request to be accompanied. This process can take weeks or months. It is always a good idea not to wait for the last minute to find out about the moving process and what allowances you are entitled to.
Q. Why do you suggest I obtain power of attorney?
A. Many spouses have situations that arise while their partner is on training, for example dealing with an unpaid bill in the spouse's name. It is useful to have a signed power of attorney before basic training begins.
Q. I have a good job of my own. What will happen to me when my spouse gets posted?
A. There are usually resources at the family centre to help you find another job. Military spouses are also given preferential treatment when civilian jobs paid from non-governmental funds become available.
Q. Aren't most military spouses women? What about the husbands? Will I be an exception?
A. Approximately 16% of CF personnel are women, and many have spouses or partners. You may be pleasantly surprised by the number of peers you will meet on your first posting. If you are uncomfortable in women-dominated support groups, why not create a new group? At the end of the day, both military men and women lead an ordinary life, and there is nothing to prevent you from socialising with any of them; many sports, physical and social activities are organised and provide you with opportunities to make friends.
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