Free Franking To A Member Of Parliament

From an interesting piece in the Winter 2010 edition of BNA Topics, the quarterly journal of the British North America Philatelic Society. The article was written by Larry Margetish.

Collectors of Canadian postal history know that the Governor General, Members of Parliament and some government departments can send mail free of charge according to specific rules. What many people don't realize is that citizens can send mail to Members of Parliament according to the same rules, which are:

The House covers the cost of printing newsletters, commonly known as 'householders', sent by the Member to all constituents. Members have free mailing privileges to send out householders and other materials. These mailing privileges are often referred to as 'franking' privileges. 'Franking' is the process by which Members of the House of Commons, by affixing their signatures to an addressed piece of mail, may have that mail delivered postage-free anywhere in the country. It is available only for mail that is addressed to places in Canada and may not be used for parcels, special delivery or other special services offered by Canada Post. Mail addressed to Members of the House is also delivered free of charge if sent to a Parliamentary Hill address. These mailing privileges begin on the day the notice of the Member's election is published by the Chief Electoral Officer in the Canada Gazette and end 10 calendar days after a dissolution of Parliament or 10 days after that person ceases to be a Minister.

Interesting, no? I wonder if other countries who recognize franking extend that privilege to their citizens as well?

Why not write your government representatives and ask? It might be free!

Interesting jamesw

I had a chance several years ago to buy a small box of "FREE" covers from different government department heads and official just on spec. I bought the whole box for just around $10.00! I have taken the liberty here to have scanned four different ones to give an example what was in the box. Most were modern manilla coloured covers and worth a few pennies here and there but but there were a number of some real good ones too.

Chimo

Bujutsu








Back of the card - note the signature




Note also the feint signature in the cancellation




Back of the cover

I think Timbres667 would like that Expo67 card (actually I would too)

Here are a few more "FREE Franked" covers. I particularly like the one from the "Department of Marine and Fisheries" in Ottawa.

Chimo

Bujutsu



Signature A Goudreau (?)

Nice covers Bujutsu. Do you have any from ordinary citizens like you and me to our government servants?

Hi jamesw

I thought I had some in that box I was referring to but I guess I was wrong.

Sorry about that

Chimo

Bujutsu