What does the CANEX mean to me? Family, supporting the troops and great deals. I finally convinced my parents to move to Kingston, so my mother could receive her cancer treatment locally, and we furnished their home from the CANEX almost entirely. Now when I go visit my parents my mom curls up in the beautiful arm chair we bought her while my dad lays out on his new chaise. It was convenient, a great deal and helped make the transition for my parents fun and a little bit easier. Even today, my parents make a regular trip to the CANEX to see what is new and what great deals they have to offer. Thank you for being there!...Kelli McRobert

I met my husband 11 years ago at my brothers wedding. He was a soldier posted to Shilo, and I quickly moved here to be with him. Being new in the community and wanting to keep busy, I started to work at the CANEX. It was much smaller then than it is now, but it was a great place to work. My fondest memories are of all the soldiers on basic training that came into the CANEX. They had to march and stand at attention everywhere on Base, but when they entered the CANEX they were allowed to walk normally and socialize. For these young soldiers in the first few weeks of basic training, I think this was their only break. I talked with these soldiers when they came in and could tell that it sort of brightened their day. After these guys and gals graduated, several of them were posted to the same unit as my boyfriend / future husband. One day my boyfriend came home and told me of these new soldiers that were posted to his Battery. Apparently they were asking him if he knew who the “CANEX girl” was? Whose daughter was she? My husband-to-be quickly responded, “She’s not anyone’s daughter, she’s my girlfriend!” I guess these guys were totally shocked and didn’t know if they were going to get in trouble for flirting with the MBdr’s girlfriend. After 9 years of marriage, we are still in Shilo and are still friends with several of these guys. And when we get together, every once in a while the “CANEX girl” story still comes up. Thanks for the memories...Alexandra Cochrane

This is just a really nice, good-news story that recently happened in Kingston. One of my colleagues is presently on a UN Military Observer mission in Sudan. When he reached back to the office and asked that we forward a few work-related items to him, we asked whether there was something of a personal nature we could send him in a care package. He thanked us but declined, saying he was fine but, in closing, mentioned in passing that if we wanted, we could 'throw in a few soccer balls' as thousands of kids occupied nearby refugee camps with little to do for fun. I explained the situation to staff at our CANEX and they sold us their entire stock at close to cost. As I was at the checkout, I came to realize that I was short donated funds to purchase the last remaining ball. Well, instead of placing the ball to the side, the checkout girl reached into her own wallet behind the counter, in front of a number of other waiting customers, and made the purchase complete! I was really, really, impressed! Thanks CANEX!...Cory Moore

On April 23 of 1989 I was a young military spouse living in Greenwood and expecting my first child anyday, if fact I was a week overdue! We got up on Saturday morning and decided to head to CANEX, which had a grocery store at that time, to choose something for lunch and to rent a video. We made our purchases at the grocery store and debated which movie to choose. The clerk at the video counter was surprised to see me still kicking around and since I was quite huge by this time asked when I was due. I replied that I was week over due and could have that day and would be nothing but thrilled. He wished us luck and said in the direction of my belly "Come on you in there time to come out". We had a good chuckle rented our video and I waddled to the exit. On the way out the door I felt a weird sensation across my back and abdomen. Well I never did get to eat that lunch we had purchased or see the movie we rented. Turns out that weird sensation was my first contraction. I went into full labour shortly thereafter and my son Brent was born at 0220 hours 24 April 1989!...Robyn Barnet

As a military member, being posted from one province to another, one city to another, the one constant that I have found I could rely on has been the CANEX experience. I say experience because no matter where you are you can always count on the friendly faces and welcoming smiles of CANEX employees. They understand the demands of military life and help make every new posting home...Bernard St-Pierre