BACKGROUND

Operation Santa Claus began in 1991, when a group of Montreal housewives organized sending Christmas packages to their serving spouses on Peacekeeping duties.  The packages consisted of cards and greetings from family and friends from all across Canada.  In addition, donated items from local businesses were obtained and included with the gifts.  Within a short time, OSC had expanded across Canada.  Spouses of serving members, local MFRCs, bases or area region headquarters personnel all joined in to organize and coordinate their local OSC programs.

Although each local OSC program was very successful in providing Christmas packages, the volunteer nature of the operation restricted full use of public resources to support the exercise and the co-ordination was at best a hit and miss proposition.  As a result, the operation failed in 1992, 1994 and 1996.

In 1997 DComd LFC requested that CFPSA investigate co-ordination of OSC from NDHQ.  After the agency analysed this operation it was determined that OSC could become a CFPSA activity with support from 3CSG and 25 CFSD in Montreal.  On 30 Dec 97, DGPS accepted OSC and tasked CFPSA with the support for OSC. Today, OSC receives donations to serve up to 4,000 deployed members.

Operation Santa Claus's success can be attributed to the outstanding response of the Canadian public showing support for our men and women of the Canadian Forces.