Recourse and services for military families

As a military family member, you have an essential role in helping Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members navigate the unique demands of a military career. Although you cannot directly access many CAF complaint mechanisms, you may support a CAF member by:

• gathering and reviewing information about that member’s career, compensation and benefits, health care, and welfare;
• helping the member connect with resources and navigate complaint processes; and
• providing moral support while the member navigates complaint processes.

Military family members can also connect with the following resources for information, support, and referral:

• Family Information Line: 1-800-866-4546, FIL-LIF@cfmws.com
• Reach out to your local MFRC. To find their contact information, visit the Canadian Forces Morale and Welfare Services (CFMWS) website and then click on “select your community” at the top of the webpage.
• Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre

Office of the National Defence and Canadian Armed Forces Ombudsman (DND/CAF Ombudsman)

The DND/CAF Ombudsman works to ensure that the Defence community, including military families, is treated fairly. We are one of the only avenues that military families can directly access for information and assistance when they experience an issue or unfairness. Where warranted, we can raise concerns to senior DND and CAF leadership as well as the Minister of National Defence. We can also investigate systemic issues that impact military families.

Our past systemic investigations of challenges that military families face have resulted in recommendations to the Minister of National Defence. Since that time, the Department of National Defence has undertaken several initiatives to provide better support to military families.

If there are exceptional reasons that prevent you from addressing any concerns through regular channels, such as time sensitivity, health, security, or financial concerns, you can contact our office by phone or in writing. In cases where compelling reasons exist, our office can ensure that all relevant parties know about the circumstances.