# 2021-039 Pay and Benefits, Recruitment Allowance

Case summary

F&R Date: 2021-11-30

The grievor alleged that the personnel at the Canadian Forces Recruiting Centre (CFRC) had told them that. after completing their recruit course, they would be entitled to a $20,000 recruitment allowance, as well as a retroactive promotion to the rank of Corporal. As redress, they requested that the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) grant them what had been offered by the CFRC.

The Commander of the Canadian Forces Recruiting Group, acting as the Initial Authority, denied the grievance, concluding that the grievor did not qualify for the allowance or the recruiting incentive when they joined the CAF.

The Committee noted that in June 2002, the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) made two major changes to the payment of recruitment allowance and incentive for the military occupation selected by the grievor. From that point on, candidates had to be qualified in the military occupation to be eligible for the $20,000 recruitment allowance. Candidates with a post-secondary diploma or certificate and civilian qualified candidates were no longer eligible for allowances or incentives. However, as a transitional measure, the CDS stated that enrolment offers made prior to 1 July 2002 would be honoured.

The Committee concluded that the grievor was not eligible for a recruitment allowance because they were not qualified in the military occupation when they enrolled and they had not received an enrolment offer prior to the transition date of 1 July 2002. That said, the Committee concluded that the grievor's rank had been determined correctly at the time of their enrolment and that they had received the pay corresponding to their rank.

The Committee recommended the Final Authority (FA) not grant redress. 

FA decision summary

The Chief of the Defence Staff agrees with the Committee's findings and recommendation not to afford the grievor redress.