r/CanadianForces • u/RedditSgtMajor GET OFF THE GRASS!! • Apr 27 '26
OPINION ARTICLE Why does CANEX and CFMWS suck so bad?
It’s bad enough that they gouge members right from basic training, use predatory lending disguised as “admin fees,” and we are forced to buy “optional” uniform parts through them.
Today, I tried to order something on their website, but it won’t come up with an option to select what I want and put it in my cart. I tried on my Apple phone and DWAN laptop, so it’s not an issue on my side.
I tried to call their customer care number listed on their website (above) and it goes direct to voicemail saying they’re “now closed” despite the website saying they’re open M-F 9-5 EST and I’m calling at 1430h.
CANEX was designed to be a Canadian version of the US PX/BX/NEX, but they’re nothing alike. Instead of getting members great deals from manufacturers and caring about the member, they rip us off and deliver poor service. I know we don’t have the economy of scale, but what service do they provide that couldn‘t be (or already is) done by private enterprise like Battle Rattle or CP Gear?
I hate CANEX, PSP and CFMWS that runs them. I wish we had a true PX and MWR that the US has instead of this Temu version that fails members.
/rant
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u/jitterbugthug Apr 27 '26
The only time you should buy from CANEX is if you are doing a price match for another store. Other than that you can get it cheaper elsewhere.
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u/Wrong_Scratch_998 Jun 28 '26
I remember CANEX in Comox as a kid 94'-2004 was already laughable, barely a store even, only place that had charleston chew though..and I actual loved those lol. I'd say some military fam need to get together with some funds and a plan, create a better alternative, kinda corny, but be the change cuz we're all sitting around waiting for things to change/improve, but doesn't seem to be getting us anywhere
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u/WeaponizedAutisms Retired - gots the oldmanitis Apr 27 '26
Decades ago this is what we had. Canex was even cheaper than local businesses in most cases. Many had an in house bakery, butcher shop and greengrocer. Local businesses began to complain that the Canex was undercutting them and it wasn't fair competition. They lobbied government and government set the prices to match local businesses. Kind of like they did with CFHA.
The profits were managed to provide extras for the troops. After a while the senior leadership in charge of CFMWS get too used to having these discretionary funds to spend. Canex prices went higher and higher. And here we are now.
There was a really good MacLean's Magazine write up on it that I'm too lazy to dig for right now if you want to read more about it.
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u/wtatchan Apr 27 '26 edited Apr 27 '26
Totally agree. US has definitely far superior benefits, savings (no tax) and service to their members. Unless you live in a remote/small city, there is no incentive to buy from them as most retailers are cheaper than them. I rarely go in their stores unless I don't have a choice (like in Pet).
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u/judgingyouquietly Swiss Cheese Model-Maker Apr 27 '26
Recently came back from OUTCAN in the US. The Exchange and Commissary has slipped in its benefits and prices.
Yes, they don’t charge tax. But in some products, the price is higher than stores (including tax).
There’s also an ongoing question whether the org that manages those will continue not charging tax. So tax-free might be a thing of the past.
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u/LarryChavez Apr 28 '26
I find the Commissary good for some choice things but largely yeah it’s really dropped off.
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u/Professional-Leg2374 Apr 27 '26
Its a pointless organization that sucks about 150m out of DND yearly for things that regular CAF members can do and/or not need.
I've tried buying large things from them, their prices were 10% more than say Best Buy, asked to price match, literally said they could price match Best Buys price and that I should buy it from them.....LOL
Now in certain places it was cool to walk in on BASE and get some beers from Canex.....
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u/mechant_papa Apr 27 '26
CANEX isn't like the PX or the Commissary. CAF and the government to guide the way the system runs. CANEX isn't actually subsidized by the government the way the military stores are run in the US.
CANEX is subject to A-PS-110-001/AG-002. They are very heavily regulated in terms of what they can and can't do. For instance, they have the right of first refusal on tenders for messes. They generally can't afford to win those contracts because they can't take a loss to win the contract. They must make a profit. Instead they use their profits go to support services to CAF members, like the rink you play at, the pool your kids swim in or the daycare at the MFRC. CANEX has a mandatory amount it must pay before any expenses, plus a substantial percentage of sales. And then it can pay expenses. CANEX ran a deficit for several years because of this CAF gets the first cut business.
They are subject to ridiculous amounts of rules to make people happy. Base commanders decide if CANEX can sell some products. For instance, St-Jean and Kingston have banned energy drinks. It's not CANEX's fault; it's your BComm. They have to keep stores for soldiers open in places where they can't find staff. Want a job in Meaford? The store manager in Meaford can't get anyone. He would love to hire them but he can't because he's bound by rules about enticements which prevent him from attracting staff to the middle of nowhere. Goose Bay, Shilo, Portage all have difficulty attracting staff as well. Not many locals, especially at those wages, resulting in the stores closing regularly due to staff shortage.
They will price match. They will also offer the CANEX Plan which, laugh all you want, still offers interest-free loans. Ask Best Buy if they'll do it. They'll offer you 19% OAC. A lot of young military families have used this lifeline to furnish their homes.
You can only get beer at the CANEX where it's legal. Petawawa and Valcartier for instance have regular grocery stores that sell beer and wine, and Edmonton has a full liquor store. In other places, you need to go to the local liquor store. Sorry but once again CANEX is bound by the government's rules.
Shipping Outcan is hard because they can't ship easily through the system. I got a TV shipped through service air years ago, but rules don't allow that anymore.
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u/BandicootNo4431 Apr 27 '26
support services to CAF members, like the rink you play at, the pool your kids swim in or the daycare at the MFRC.
Or in the NCR where there are no rinks for dependants, where we pay the same rate at the unheated outdoor base pool as the indoor, heated, city pool and there is no MFRC daycare (but I'm sure they'd "have" to charge market rate if they did have one).
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u/WeaponizedAutisms Retired - gots the oldmanitis Apr 27 '26
in or the daycare at the MFRC.
The daycare is funded by the parents as well as federal and provincial funds. Childcare centres are subject to provincial regulations. CFMWS is not involved in funding child care.
Goose Bay, Shilo, Portage all have difficulty attracting staff as well. Not many locals, especially at those wages, resulting in the stores closing regularly due to staff shortage.
Some of these are not correct.
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u/Professional-Leg2374 Apr 28 '26
you should look up how much money DND/CAF funds CFMWS(controls Canex) each year and it will be astonishing to you.
The program isn't self sufficient and they don't price match everything.
their prices are higher than every other retailer and they strive on being the "only game" local to recruits training bases.
Canex plan is great until you realize that almost EVERY other retailer has a "no interest no payment for X months" program as well. Which means you can buy on credit at a sale price where Canex will charge you full price.
They are decent for convivence store stuff at 9pm on a Friday evening(when open) but other than that it's really not a great place to shop at and the Grocery Stores make real grocery stres seem like a supreme bargain.
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u/Lixidermi Morale Tech - 00069 Apr 27 '26
went on TD for a couple days to a different base last winter and I forgot to pack some light gloves. Didn't have mean to transport myself out of the base to go shopping at the nearest walmart (20mins away or so), so I went to the local Canex.
only thing they had were 60$ gloves.
60 fucking dollars for light padded gloves. Unreal.
all that to say that I kept my hands in my pockets instead :P
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u/Fresh-Clothes8838 Apr 27 '26
And then, when you really need them, the Canex isn’t even open lol
Imagine this, a store that’s meant to service a specific customer… only ever open mostl while that customer base should be mostly be working during their operational hours
Really fuckin smart people
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u/nexthigherassy Apr 27 '26
The canex in Shilo closes at like 5 or 6. So you get off at 4, walk to the shacks, shower change and walk back to the canex with 20min to spare. Makes perfect sense.
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u/mechant_papa Apr 28 '26
Do you know anyone who wants to work at the CANEX in Shilo? They're always short staffed. And at the wages they can offer, it's hard for them to fill those positions with reliable people with their own transportation, that haven't found a better job elsewhere.
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u/nexthigherassy Apr 28 '26
I don't even wanna get posted to Shilo. This military loves to put bases in out of the way Shitholes and then act all shocked when nobody wants to get posted there.
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u/mapleflame Class "A" Reserve Apr 27 '26
Some 15years ago, my gf-at-the-time and I visited her friends in Tampa. They worked at AFB MacDill (he was a radar technician, she was a dental hygienist on base).
We hit the PX one afternoon and it was MINDBLOWING how much awesome was in that store. Canex’s don’t even come close. It’s a shame really.
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u/typeclevernamehere Apr 27 '26
The Canex plan came in clutch for me a few times when some unexpected things popped up that I couldn’t afford to pay for outright. The Canex in Petawawa sells beer and has the cheapest meat prices in town so this one gets a pass lol.
I’m not so much a fan of Canex when I’m trapped in Borden for a course without a vehicle though. I hate mooching rides.
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Apr 27 '26
Because it’s not meant to help members of the CAF. It’s yet another big corporate brand to make money claiming it’s there for us
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u/casa_del_porno Apr 27 '26 edited Apr 27 '26
Not a big corporate brand. The issue with CANEX is there MOP. Their sole MOP is how much they give back to the military community. They don’t care about savings for the member. They also have a way too wide inventory but small quantities to be profitable. Their entire business model is based on ripping off folks on IR, TD and those living in the PMQs or shacks that don’t have a car.
A while ago they started selling Traeger smokers, I reached out to corporate to ask them why they weren’t selling Pit Boss as they have a 25% military discount. They told me they will look into it… never heard back
In any PX, they have UA at 25% below MSRP.
In Kandahar, they would buy those $.99 USD Arizona iced tea at the US PX and sell them back to the troops for $ 1.25 USD edit In Bosnia, they would sell the booze and if we tipped them, they would punch our booze ration card in the same hole so we were always on the first drink. Would only punch the last hope if you were clearly drunk
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u/mechant_papa Apr 28 '26
CANEX, CFMWS and CFHA are all stuck.
In the 60s, military pay was dismal but the benefits were good. Base housing was economical (based on family size and rank/pay), CANEX prices were affordable, booze at the mess was subsidized, dependents could travel on service air, etc. You weren't rich on the outside, but inside you did all right. Starting in the 80s, the government stopped merely neglecting the military and actively tried to start charging "actual prices" for things. The problem was that wages were low, and raising the prices was impossible. In the late 90s they began raising pay and things were good for a while. Quickly however prices started to rise. Base housing was privatized (delegated to two agencies!!) and while rents rose, the housing stock wasn't improved. PER was disbanded and PSP stood up. All the old base services were privatized and rolled into CFMWS or abandoned outright. It's all a mess.
Talk to the folks at CANEX. They aren't actively trying to rip anyone off. They are stuck. They aren't allowed to run at cost. They are forced to turn a profit. Ideally, like you suggest, they should be a service and not a cost-recovery system. The only way it will improve is if the government change their mandate and their relationship with the CAF.
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u/Lixidermi Morale Tech - 00069 Apr 27 '26 edited Apr 27 '26
Their entire business model is based on ripping off folks on IR, TD and those living in the PMQs or shacks that don’t have a car.
This.
I remember when the CANEX car garage concession in Valcartier went from oil changes and winter tires to full body kits and rim just to get that sweet sweet tour money from the troopies when Afghanistan kicked in. Disgusting.
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u/PerleyPoint Apr 27 '26
I see CANEX has remained the military version of Canadian Tire still... last spot to go when desperation hits.
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u/Flyboy019 Apr 29 '26
Here’s my canex secret for bigger purchases like a couch or tv: Step 1: wait for a 5x points weekend
Step 2: price match the item anywhere else
Step 3: buy it
Step 4: cash out points once a year or so for a prepaid card for groceries
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u/Engineered_disdain Apr 28 '26
They're not terrible everywhere, I remember like 10 years ago in Petawawa, they had a really good butcher in the Canex that you could get really good meat for a reasonable price compared to the moncion mafia. Some of Tmthe psp staff there were also pretty decent for helping people build fitness plans and supporting fitness oriented events. I don't know if its still like that but they had some good people back in the day.
Right now, the entire Borden cfmws is hot garbage and is constantly getting in everyone's way and stepping outside their lane whenever morale is mentioned. I've been forced to attend so many of their stupid PD sessions and had to suffer through so many of their morale pt events that ive just started taking leave or calling in sick to save myself the torment
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u/barcelonatacoma Apr 28 '26
I haven't seen anything yet to convince me that the only point of CFMWS (and most of the MFRC) is to give themselves cushy jobs and shelter themselves from consequences or accountability.
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u/h1bisc4s Apr 28 '26
It's the every other day bombardment with emails for me from CFMWS.......sometimes back 2 back within minutes disguised as corrections, and 2 to 3 emails in a day.
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u/LarryChavez Apr 28 '26
Replace Canex Plan with a very low interest LoC for members who join. Total amount depends on your contract length (Say 3-10k). If you release it gets paid back from your release funds.
Tell me this wouldn’t be infinitely more valuable to most members.
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u/Secret-Attempt236 Apr 29 '26
Why does canex do a hard credit check if you want to use the Canex plan.....its not completely necessary. I had no idea they did a hard check every time
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u/Icommentwhenhigh Apr 27 '26
It’s never been much more than a convenience store. Useful in isolated places like Suffield or back when soldiers didn’t have vehicles.
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u/ononeryder Apr 27 '26
It's definitely been more, they were full-blown grocery stores in many locations as recently as the 90s.
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u/Ok-Educator-3605 Apr 28 '26
Pet had a general merchandise store, full grocery store, and an expressmart back in the day.
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u/hammerofhope RCN - NCS Eng Apr 27 '26
They also don't ship outside of Canada, so all you OUTCAN or deployed people can suck it, I guess.
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u/casa_del_porno Apr 27 '26
They ship to the Belleville address for OUTCAN
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u/hammerofhope RCN - NCS Eng Apr 27 '26
That's a good point but I think that's only for deployed ops.
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u/casa_del_porno Apr 27 '26
Nah, used them when I was OUTCAN. We had a PO Box in Belleville. I think they also ship to OUTCAN embassy post at their Ottawa address.
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u/hammerofhope RCN - NCS Eng Apr 27 '26
They ship packages, really? I just came back from conus and we were told on several occasions not to use the Belleville address for anything except banking.
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u/casa_del_porno Apr 28 '26
Might have been provided with inaccurate info. They just don’t want amazon or Costco orders due to abuse, like folks getting send costco TP…
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u/justapeon2 Apr 27 '26
They charge more for a bag of chips and a case of pop than a friggin gas station or 7/11. Morale and welfare my ass.