CF Discounts

I noticed an interesting ad in the sidebar the other day, one that touted purchasing discounts on various products and services for CF members, so I decided to look into the source a bit. It turns out that CF Discounts is run by Chris Smith, a veteran who figured a clearing house for companies offering special discounts to CF members would be a great way to support our troops.

Here's part of a letter he sent to federal MP's to try to drum up support:

My name is Christopher Smith and I am writing to you in regards to a program I started in 2004 for our soldiers and veterans and thought you would be interested in due to your commitment to our soldiers.

I am a 16-year veteran of the Forces and when I took my release in 2004 I went to college to become a programmer/analyst. During this time, I thought of an idea where it would be beneficial for military members, past and present, to have a single source where they could find businesses, from anywhere in Canada, that were offering them discounts or specials as a way to show their support and appreciation.

From this idea grew CF Discounts (www.cfdiscounts.ca), the original Nation-wide listing of military discounts. I began the design of this website in 2004, started programming it in 2005 and the site went "live" in May of 2006. During this time, the site grew from a small idea to a site with over 1000 listings, in French and English, of businesses offering discounts to our soldiers and veterans. These companies are listed for free.

Sounds like a great idea. Certainly better than an ad hoc thread on Army.ca, although that's more use than nothing at all.

When I Googled around for any additional listings, I came across DND Discounts:

The www.dnddiscounts.ca website is maintained by the Canadian Forces Newspapers. All businesses listed on this website offer a discount to Department of National Defence personnel and their families and advertise in a Canadian Forces Base Newspaper or one of their specialty magazines or directories.

While I'm glad that the CFPSA is doing something along these lines, I'm not sure it's the best solution.

The problem with that approach, as I see it, is that it ties supporting the troops to your advertising budget. What if your business isn't in close enough proximity to a CF base to justify advertising in the base paper? What if all you want to do is make sure serving members understand your little business on the side of the highway is willing to cut them a bit of a break to say 'thanks for your service'?

Unfortunately, the downside of a private site like CF Discounts is that, much like The Torch, it's just a hobby - with all the limitations in time, effort, and money that can be put into making it a success.

In that vein, I wonder whether the folks at Canada Company have heard of this. Given the membership list, I'm guessing a few of them might be able to help out a bit (if you don't recognize the names, pick up a copy of Report on Business or just Google them - a lot of money and influence there). Just a thought.

Anyhow, while I don't know Chris Smith personally, I applaud his effort to show tangible appreciation to those Canadians who serve our great country in the Canadian Forces. Bravo Zulu!

Update: The MARPAC webmaster wanted to make sure any west coast readers know about the discount listing at The Lookout. Looks like a bunch of BC businesses have stepped up, and I'm glad the Navy has taken the time to make such a listing.

But, again, while this is good, it furthers my point about a national clearing-house listing instead of simply regional piecework.

Updater: And never forget that the best discount is FREE!

Via Rail is offering Canadian Forces members, veterans and National Defence employees free rail travel for the month of July in a gesture of appreciation, railway officials said Wednesday in Halifax.

"The clear intention here is for Via Rail to express on behalf of all Canadians how much we appreciate the service of men and women in uniform and our veterans and their families," Defence Minister Peter MacKay said at the announcement.

Via officials said the railway and the military have long been linked, with trains carrying 90 per cent of the First and Second World War troops to the ports and home again.

More than half a million people will be eligible for the free, unlimited travel along the railway's routes, Via said.

"The people that will be able to use this is everyone attached to the Department of Defence," said Via chairman Donald Wright. "Reservists are included and veterans are included."

The offer also includes for members of the Canadian Forces a 50 per cent discount for up to five family members.

BZ to Via Rail!