Chapter 11 – Isolated Post Instructions

Section 1 – Definitions

11.1.01 - Definitions

The definitions in this instruction apply in this Chapter:

accompanied member

means a member whose dependants normally reside at the isolated post where the member is serving.

ALTB

means the Alert Leave Travel Benefit.

dependant

has the meaning established in CBI 208.80 - Application and Definitions.

DGCB

means the Director General Compensation and Benefits.

DPPD

means the Director of Pay Policy and Development.

IPGH Committee

means the Isolated Posts and Government Housing Committee established under the National Joint Council.

IPGHD

means the Isolated Posts and Government Housing Directive published by the National Joint Council

IPTA

means the Isolated Post Travel Assistance.

  1. designated as an isolated post in the IPGHD; or
  2. in any other case, designated or re-designated as an isolated post by the DGCB under the authority of CBI 11.2.01(3).
lower kilometric rate

means the lower kilometric rate in Appendix A of the National Joint Council Commuting Assistance Directive, as amended from time to time.

NJC

means the National Joint Council.

posted for duty

means posted to, attached posted to, called out or serving on full-time or part-time service at an isolated post other than on temporary duty.

SPAA

means Special Allowance – CFS Alert.

traveling expenses

has the same meaning as established in CBI 209.01 - Definitions.

Section 2 – Isolation Allowance

11.2.01 - Isolation Allowance – General 

11.2.01(1) (Purpose) Isolation Allowance (Isol A) is intended to offset the cost differentials between isolated and non-isolated locations and to compensate members for harsh environmental conditions experienced at isolated posts.

11.2.01(2) (Application) This policy applies to members of the Regular Force and members of the Reserve Force on Class “A”, “B” or “C” Reserve Service, who are posted for duty at an isolated post.

11.2.01(3) (Authority) In respect of a place that is not or that ceases to be designated in the IPGHD, the DGCB is authorized to designate or re-designate that place as an isolated post and to establish the classification level for each component of Isol A based on:

  1. data provided by Statistics Canada; 
  2. the criteria for designating isolated posts and for determining classification levels established in the IPGHD and summarized in the table to CBI 11.2.02; and
  3. consultation with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. 

11.2.01(3.1) (Setting of Effective Dates of Change) The DGCB, in designating or re-designating a place as an isolated post, or establishing the classification level for each component of Isol A, shall specify the effective date for each change.

11.2.01(3.2) (Coordination) The DPPD shall inform the IPGH Committee of any designation or re-designation of an isolated post under paragraph (3).

11.2.01(4) (Publication) The classification level for each component of Isol A for an isolated post designated or re-designated pursuant to paragraph (3) shall be published by the DPPD.

11.2.01(5) (Posts removed from IPGHD and re-designated by DGCB – transitional period) Where an isolated post is removed from the IPGHD and re-designated as an isolated post by the DGCB, the previous IPGHD classification levels remain in effect until the DGCB has re-designated that place as an isolated post, established the classification level for each component of Isol A, and specified the effective date. 

11.2.01(6) (Exclusion – Public service employees in receipt of IPGHD allowances) Reserve Force members who are public service employees and claiming allowances under the IPGHD are excluded from claiming Isol A under CBI Chapter 11.

11.2.02 - Isolation Allowance Components

11.2.02(1) (Components) Isol A has four components: Environment Allowance (EA), Living Cost Differential (LCD), Fuel and Utilities Differential (FUD), and Shelter Cost Differential (SCD). The factors used to determine when each Isol A component is payable are described in the IPGHD and summarized in the table to this instruction.

11.2.02(2) (Classification levels and rates) The classification level and rate of each component of Isol A payable to a member are set out in the tables to CBI 11.2.05 - Monthly rates and CBI 11.2.06 - Daily and half-day rates. Subsequent changes to the classification level and rate for each component of Isol A shall be as published in the IPGHD or as published by the DPPD.

11.2.02(3) (Changes to annual rates) When subsequent changes to the annual rates of EA, LCD, FUD and SCD are published, the applicable monthly rate for the purposes of CBI 11.2.05 shall be one-twelfth of the annual rate, rounded to the nearest dollar

11.2.02(4) (Changes to hourly rates) When subsequent changes to the hourly rates of EA, LCD, FUD and SCD are published, the applicable daily rate for the purposes of CBI 11.2.06 shall be eight times the hourly rate.

Table to CBI 11.2.02
Component Description
Environment Allowance (EA) The EA for each post is assessed on the basis of population, climate and access. Points are allocated for various degrees of these factors as indicated in Appendix H of the IPGHD.
Living Cost Differential (LCD) The LCD is payable at certain isolated posts where abnormally high prices prevail for food and other goods and services. The amount of LCD is related to average Canadian family expenditures through an index level developed and measured by Statistics Canada. LCD is payable when the index is 115 or higher.
Fuel And Utilities Differential (FUD) The FUD is only payable at designated isolated posts where the specific conditions described in Appendix H of the IPGHD are met. The FUD amount is based on the difference between the National Composite Billing cost for fuel and utilities plus 15 percent, and the calculated cost of fuel and utilities at the isolated post.
Shelter Cost Differential (SCD) The SCD is payable where shelter costs are at least 15% higher in comparison with national average rents at the 12 points of departure for the benchmark model determined by the IPGH Committee.

11.2.03 - Classification Levels at Isolated Posts

111.2.03(1) (Primary posts) The primary isolated posts are as listed in the table to this instruction.  The classification level for each component of Isol A is set out in Table “A” to this instruction and in the table to CBI 11.2.05 as applicable.

11.2.03(2) (Other posts listed in IPGHD) Members posted for duty at isolated posts designated in the IPGHD, but not specifically set out in the tables to this instruction, are entitled to Isol A at the rates and under the applicable conditions as approved in the IPGHD. The DPPD will publish the rates applicable to these posts.

11.2.03(3) (Posts designated by DGCB) Members posted for duty at posts designated or re-designated as isolated posts by the DGCB are entitled to Isol A at the classification levels for each component of Isol A as published by the DPPD in Table “B” to this instruction.

Table to CBI 11.2.03
Isolated Post Environment Classification Living Cost Differential Fuel and Utilities Differential
Alert, NU 5 Not applicable Not applicable
Chevery, QCtable 2 note * 3 3 Not applicable
Goose Bay, NL 3 1 Not applicable
Inukjuak, QCtable 2 note * 4 9 15 (01.10.22)
Iqaluit, NU 4 11 12 (01.10.22)
Kuujjuaq, QCtable 2 note * 4 11 19 (01.10.22)
Masset, BC 3 2 Not applicable
Puvirnituq, QCtable 2 note * 4 9 17 (01.10.22)
Quaqtaq, QCtable 2 note * 4 13 19 (01.10.22)
Salluit, QCtable 2 note * 4 11 11 (22.12.23)
Whitehorse, YT 1 Not applicable 24 (01.10.22)
Yellowknife, NT 1 2 30
Table 2 Notes
*

Isolated Post designated by the DGCB IAW CBI 11.2.03(3)

Return to table 2 note * referrer

(TB, effective 1 Oct 2022)

11.2.04 - Conditions of Payment

11.2.04(1) (General factors) The amount and conditions of payment of Isol A to a member depend on the following factors: 

  1. type of service (full-time or part-time);
  2. the member's accompanied status;
  3. temporary absences from the post; and
  4. the classification level for each component as set out in the IPGHD or in this instruction, as applicable.

11.2.04(2) (Type of Service) Payment may be based on monthly, daily, or half-day rates depending on whether the member is on full-time or part-time service. A member who is posted for duty at an isolated post and is:

  1. serving in the Regular Force or on Class “B” or “C” Reserve Service is entitled to Isol A for each month at the applicable monthly rate set out at CBI 11.2.05 - Monthly rates; or
  2. on Class “A” Reserve Service is entitled to Isol A:
    1. for each full day worked at the applicable daily rates set out at CBI 11.2.06 - Daily and half-day rates, and
    2. for each one-half day worked at half the applicable rates set out at CBI 11.2.06.

11.2.04(3) (Accompanied and unaccompanied rates) Subject to paragraphs (4) to (9), the amount of Isol A payable to a member depends on their accompanied status at the isolated post.  When a member is: 

  1. an accompanied member, the member is entitled to the accompanied rate; or
  2. not an accompanied member, the member is entitled to the unaccompanied rate.

11.2.04(4) (Couples) If a member is married to, or in a common-law partnership with, another member who is also entitled to Isol A or a public service employee who is entitled to the Isol A components under the IPGHD and:  

  1. they have no other dependants at the isolated post:
    1. each member is entitled to EA at the unaccompanied rate, and
    2. the aggregate amount of their entitlements for the LCD, FUD and SCD shall not exceed 100 percent of the accompanied rate. LCD will normally be payable to each member or public service employee at 50 percent of the accompanied rate. However, one member or public service employee may elect, in writing, to be deemed accompanied and the other shall be deemed a dependant. FUD and SCD shall be apportioned to each member or public service employee in the same percentage of the expenses for fuels and utilities and shelter; or
  2. they have at least one other dependant at the isolated post:
    1. one member is entitled to EA at the accompanied rate and the other member is entitled to EA at the unaccompanied rate, and
    2. LCD, FUD and SCD are payable in accordance with subparagraph (4)(a)(ii).

11.2.04(5) (Repealed by TB, effective 1 August 2023) 

11.2.04(6) (Meals and Lodgings) In addition to the EA component of Isol A, a member who receives meals, rations or lodgings at public expense, or a meal allowance, is entitled to the following components of Isol A:

Item Provided Isolation Allowance Component
meals or rations or a meal allowance LCD Rate 2 and, if applicable, FUD and SCD
lodgings LCD
meals or rations or a meal allowance and lodgings LCD Rate 2

11.2.04(7) (Consecutive and other postings) A member who is posted from one isolated post to another, and is not authorized to move their dependants, is entitled to receive Isol A at the unaccompanied rate, if applicable, for the new post, and

  1. the unaccompanied rate applicable to the previous post where one dependant continues to reside at that post; or
  2. the accompanied rate applicable to the previous post where more than one dependant continues to reside at that post.

11.2.04(8) (Continuous entitlement) In all situations where a member is posted from one isolated post to another, in order to ensure continuous entitlement, the date of departure from the losing unit shall be deemed to be the day prior to the day on which the member is taken on strength at the gaining unit.

11.2.04(9) (Departure of dependants) If all of the dependants of an accompanied member depart an isolated post, the member’s entitlement to Isol A is reduced to the unaccompanied rate on the 91st day of the absence.

11.2.04(10) (Temporary absence from post) If a member is temporarily away from an isolated post on a course, duty or attached posting to another location that is not an isolated post and the member:

  1. has no dependants remaining at the isolated post, and does not maintain a vacant residence at the isolated post, the member's entitlement to Isol A stops on the 31st day of the absence;
  2. has one dependant remaining at the isolated post, the member’s entitlement to:
    1. EA and LCD is reduced to the unaccompanied rate on the 31st day of the absence, and
    2. FUD and SCD continues at the accompanied rate;
  3. has more than one dependant remaining at the isolated post, the member’s entitlement to Isol A continues at the accompanied rate; or
  4. maintains a vacant residence at the isolated post, the member’s entitlement to the FUD and SCD components of Isol A continues, if the member was entitled to these components prior to the absence.  However, the member’s entitlement to LCD and EA ceases on the 31st day of the absence.

11.2.04(11) (Repealed by TB, effective 1 August 2023)

11.2.04(12) (Payments start) Payment of Isol A shall start the later of: 

  1. the date the member is posted for duty to the isolated post; or
  2. the date on which the member arrives at the isolated post.

11.2.04(13) (Payments cease) Payment of Isol A shall cease on the date the member:

  1. commences retirement leave;
  2. is posted to another location that is not an isolated post; or
  3. ceases Class “A”, “B” or “C” Reserve Service at an isolated post.

11.2.04(14) (Effective date of Isol A component change) The effective date of a change to any component of Isol A is determined by the authority set out in the table to this instruction. Where a level or rate is reduced or revoked, or a post is deleted, affected members shall be notified of the change through orders or instructions issued by or under the authority of the Chief of the Defence Staff.

Table to CBI 11.2.04
Reason for change Effective date for EA change Effective date for LCD change Effective date for FUD change Effective date for SCD change

addition of a post to the IPGHD

the date specified by the IPGH Committee

the date specified by the IPGH Committee

the date specified by the IPGH Committee

the date specified by the IPGH Committee

designation of a new post by the DGCB, where that post was not formerly designated in the IPGHD

the date specified by the DGCB

the date specified by the DGCB

the date specified by the DGCB

the date specified by the DGCB

post removed from IPGHD and then re-designated as an isolated post by the DGCB

the date specified by the DGCB

the date specified by the DGCB

the date specified by the DGCB

the date specified by the DGCB

increase to a classification level

the date specified by the IPGH Committee or the DGCB, as the case may be

the first day of the month following the month the IPGH Committee or the DGCB, as the case may be, receives notice of change from Statistics Canada

the date specified by the IPGH Committee or the DGCB, as the case may be

not applicable

increase of a rate

the date specified by the IPGH Committee or the DGCB, as the case may be

the date specified by the IPGH Committee or the DGCB, as the case may be

the date specified by the IPGH Committee or the DGCB, as the case may be

the date specified by the IPGH Committee or the DGCB, as the case may be

decrease of a classification level or decrease of a rate

one-half the amount of the decrease will be effective the first day of the fourth calendar month after the month the notice was published in orders or instructions, and the balance of the decrease will be effective on the first day of the thirteenth calendar month after the notice

first day of the fourth calendar month after the month the notice was published in orders or instructions

first day of the fourth calendar month after the month the notice was published in orders or instructions

first day of the fourth calendar month after the month the notice was published in orders or instructions

elimination of a classification component or deletion of post

first day of the fourth calendar month after the month the notice was published in orders or instructions, at which time the rate will be reduced at the rate of $100 per month

first day of the fourth calendar month after the month the notice was published in orders or instructions, at which time the rate will be reduced at the rate of $100 per month

first day of the fourth calendar month after the month the notice was published in orders or instructions

first day of the fourth calendar month after the month the notice was published in orders or instructions

11.2.05 - Monthly Rates

11.2.05(1) (General) For the purposes of this instruction:

  1. a member on full-time service shall be paid one-thirtieth of the monthly rate for each day for partial months;
  2. a member who is entitled to LCD shall receive Rate 1 where food is not available through government sources and Rate 2 where food is available through government sources; and
  3. a member is entitled to FUD only when required to pay for one or both of the actual fuel or utilities consumed directly to the supplier(s) or indirectly through an identifiable portion of rent.

11.2.05(2) (Accompanied), Subject to CBI 11.2.04 - Conditions of Payment, accompanied members on full-time service at an isolated post shall be paid EA, LCD and FUD at the monthly rates set out in Table A and SCD at the monthly rates set out in Table C to this instruction.

11.2.05(3) (Unaccompanied) Subject to CBI 11.2.04 - Conditions of Payment, unaccompanied members on full-time service at an isolated post shall be paid EA, LCD and FUD at the monthly rates set out in Table B and SCD at the monthly rates set out in Table C to this instruction.

Table A to CBI 11.2.05
Accompanied Monthly Rates for EA, LCD and FUD
EA
(effective 1 Aug 24)
LCD
(effective 1 Aug 24)
FUD
Level Rate Level Rate 1 Rate 2 Level Rate
1 $313 1 $559 $391 1 $10.42
2 $393 2 $719 $503 2 $31.25
3 $588 3 $879 $615 3 $52.08
4 $807 4 $1,039 $727 4 $72.92
5 $1,124 5 $1,198 $839 5 $93.75
N/A N/A 6 $1,358 $951 6 $114.58
N/A N/A 7 $1,518 $1,062 7 $135.42
N/A N/A 8 $1,678 $1,174 8 $156.25
N/A N/A 9 $1,837 $1,286 9 $177.08
N/A N/A 10 $1,997 $1,398 10 $197.92
N/A N/A 11 $2,157 $1,510 11 $218.75
N/A N/A 12 $2,317 $1,622 12  $239.58
N/A N/A 13 $2,476 $1,734 13 $260.42
N/A N/A 14 $2,637 $1,845 14 $281.25
N/A N/A 15 $2,796 $1,957 15 $302.08
N/A N/A 16 $2,876 $2,013 16 $322.92
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 17 $343.75
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 18 $364.58
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 19 $385.42
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 20 $406.25
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 21 $427.08
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 22 $447.92
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 23 $468.75
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 24 $489.58
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 25 $510.42
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 26 $531.25
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 27 $552.08
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 28 $572.92
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 29 $593.75
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 30 $614.58
Table B to CBI 11.2.05
Unaccompanied Monthly Rates for EA, LCD and FUD
EA
(effective 1 Aug 24)
LCD
(effective 1 Aug 24)
FUD
Level Rate Level Rate 1 Rate 2 Level Rate
1 $188 1 $336 $196 1 $6.25
2 $236 2 $431 $252 2 $18.75
3 $353 3 $527 $308 3 $31.25
4 $484 4 $623 $364 4 $43.75
5 $674 5 $719 $419 5 $56.25
N/A N/A 6 $815 $475 6 $68.75
N/A N/A 7 $911 $531 7 $81.25
N/A N/A 8 $1,007 $587 8 $93.75
N/A N/A 9 $1,102 $643 9 $106.25
N/A N/A 10 $1,198 $699 10 $118.75
N/A N/A 11 $1,294 $755 11 $131.25
N/A N/A 12 $1,390 $811 12 $143.75
N/A N/A 13 $1,486 $867 13 $156.25
N/A N/A 14 $1,582 $923 14 $168.75
N/A N/A 15 $1,678 $979 15 $181.25
N/A N/A 16 $1,726 $1,007 16 $193.75
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 17 $206.25
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 18 $218.75
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 19 $231.25
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 20 $243.75
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 21 $256.25
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 22 $268.75
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 23 $281.25
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 24 $293.75
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 25 $306.25
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 26 $318.75
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 27 $331.25
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 28 $343.75
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 29 $356.25
N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A 30 $368.75

Table C to CBI 11.2.05
Monthly Rates for SCD (effective 1 August 2024)

Private Accommodation
Isolated Post Accompanied Rate Unaccompanied Rate
Alert $171 $171
Iqaluit $517 $517
Whitehorse $321 $321
Yellowknife $554 $554
Government Housing
Isolated Post Accompanied Rate Unaccompanied Rate
Alert $171 $103
Iqaluit $517 $310
Whitehorse $321 $193
Yellowknife $554 $332

11.2.06 - Daily and Half-Day Rates

11.2.06(1) (General) For the purposes of this instruction:

  1. a half-day rate shall be one-half the daily rate;
  2. the total amount of Isol A that can be paid in a calendar month shall not exceed the monthly rate; and
  3. a member who is entitled to LCD shall receive Rate 1 where food is not available through government sources and Rate 2 where food is available through government sources.

11.2.06(2) (Accompanied) Subject to CBI 11.2.04 - Conditions of Payments, an accompanied member on part-time service at an isolated post shall be paid EA, LCD and FUD, as set out at Table A, and SCD, as set out at Table C to this instruction, at daily or half-day rates, as applicable.

11.2.06(3) (Unaccompanied) Subject to CBI 11.2.04 - Conditions of Payments, an unaccompanied member on part-time service at an isolated post shall be paid EA, LCD and FUD, as set out in Table B, and SCD, as set out in Table C to this instruction, at daily or half-day rates, as applicable.

Table A to CBI 11.2.06
Accompanied Daily Rates for EA, LCD and FUD
EA
(effective 1 Aug 24)
LCD
(effective 1 Aug 24)
FUD
Level Rate Level Rate 1 Rate 2 Level Rate
1 $14.40 1 $25.76 $18.00 1 $0.48
2 $18.08 2 $33.04 $23.12 2 $1.44
3 $27.04 3 $40.40 $28.32 3 $2.40
4 $37.12 4 $47.76 $33.44 4 $3.36
5 $51.68 5 $55.12 $38.56 5 $4.32
- - 6 $62.48 $43.76 6 $5.28
- - 7 $69.84 $48.88 7 $6.24
- - 8 $77.20 $54.00 8 $7.20
- - 9 $84.48 $59.12 9 $8.16
- - 10 $91.84 $64.32 10 $9.12
- - 11 $99.20 $69.44 11 $10.08
- - 12 $106.56 $74.56 12 $11.04
- - 13 $113.92 $79.76 13 $12.00
- - 14 $121.28 $84.88 14 $12.96
- - 15 $128.64 $90.00 15 $13.92
- - 16 $132.32 $92.56 16 $14.88
- - - - - 17 $15.84
- - - - - 18 $16.80
- - - - - 19 $17.76
- - - - - 20 $18.72
- - - - - 21 $19.68
- - - - - 22 $20.64
- - - - - 23 $21.60
- - - - - 24 $22.56
- - - - - 25 $23.44
- - - - - 26 $24.40
- - - - - 27 $25.36
- - - - - 28 $26.32
- - - - - 29 $27.28
- - - - - 30 $28.24
Table B to CBI 11.2.06
Unaccompanied Daily Rates for EA, LCD and FUD
EA
(effective 1 Aug 24)
LCD
(effective 1 Aug 24)
FUD
Level Rate Level Rate 1 Rate 2 Level Rate
1 $8.64 1 $15.44 $9.04 1 $0.32
2 $10.80 2 $19.84 $11.60 2 $0.88
3 $16.24 3 $24.24 $14.16 3 $1.44
4 $22.24 4 $28.64 $16.72 4 $2.00
5 $31.04 5 $33.04 $19.28 5 $2.56
- - 6 $37.44 $21.84 6 $3.20
- - 7 $41.92 $24.40 7 $3.76
- - 8 $46.32 $27.04 8 $4.32
- - 9 $50.72 $29.60 9 $4.88
- - 10 $55.12 $32.16 10 $5.44
- - 11 $59.52 $34.72 11 $6.08
- - 12 $63.92 $37.28 12 $6.64
- - 13 $68.32 $39.84 13 $7.20
- - 14 $72.72 $42.48 14 $7.76
- - 15 $77.20 $45.04 15 $8.32
- - 16 $79.36 $46.32 16 $8.96
- - - - - 17 $9.52
- - - - - 18 $10.08
- - - - - 19 $10.64
- - - - - 20 $11.20
- - - - - 21 $11.84
- - - - - 22 $12.40
- - - - - 23 $12.96
- - - - - 24 $13.52
- - - - - 25 $14.08
- - - - - 26 $14.64
- - - - - 27 $15.20
- - - - - 28 $15.76
- - - - - 29 $16.40
- - - - - 30 $16.96

Table C to CBI 11.2.06
Daily Rates for SCD (effective 1 August 2024)

Private Accommodation
Isolated Post Accompanied Rate Unaccompanied Rate
Alert $7.84 $7.84
Iqaluit $23.76 $23.76
Whitehorse $14.80 $14.80
Yellowknife $25.44 $25.44
Government Housing
Isolated Post Accompanied Rate Unaccompanied Rate
Alert $7.84 $4.72
Iqaluit $23.76 $14.24
Whitehorse $14.80 $8.88
Yellowknife $25.44 $15.28

Section 3 – Special Allowance – CFS Alert

11.3.01 – Purpose and Application of Allowance

11.3.01(1) (Purpose) The purpose of the Special Allowance – CFS Alert (SPAA) is to provide compensation to members in recognition of exceptional conditions associated with serving multiple tours of duty at CFS Alert.

11.3.01(2) (Application) This policy applies to members of the Regular and Reserve Force who are attached posted to CFS Alert.

11.3.02 - Entitlement

11.3.02(1) (Monthly rate) The monthly rate of SPAA that may be paid to a member is set out in the Table to this instruction. 

11.3.02(2) (Maximum entitlement) A member who has accumulated 24 months of service at CFS Alert and has reached the maximum entitlement to SPAA remains entitled to that rate for any subsequent attached posting to CFS Alert.

11.3.02(3) (Allowance paid in addition) SPAA is payable in addition to pay and Isolation Allowance as set out in Section 2 of this Chapter.

11.3.02(4) (Start and cease date) Entitlement to SPAA starts on the date the member arrives for duty on attached posting to CFS Alert and ceases on the date the member departs from CFS Alert upon completion of that attached posting.  For greater certainty, SPAA is not ceased during a period of absence under CBI 11.4.03 – Alert Leave Travel Benefit.

Table to CBI 11.3.02

Accumulated time -
Number of completed months
Monthly Rate
(in dollars)
Less than 6 months 120
6 months or more but less than 12 months 248
12 months or more but less than 18 months 376
18 months or more but less than 24 months 499
24 months or more 621

Effective 1 April 2017

11.3.03 (Repealed by TB, effective 1 August 2023)

Section 4 – Transportation and Travel Benefits

11.4.01 – Point of Departure

11.4.01(1) (Primary posts) The point of departure for each primary isolated post is set out in the table to this instruction.

11.4.01(2) (Other posts) For all other isolated posts, the point of departure is Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Moncton, Halifax, or St. John's, whichever of these places is the nearest to the isolated post by the most practical route and means of transportation.

Table to CBI 11.4.01

Primary Isolated Posts Point of Departure
Alert Trenton
Goose Bay St. John's
Iqaluit Ottawa
Masset Vancouver
Yellowknife Edmonton
Whitehorse Edmonton

11.4.02 - (Repealed by TB, effective 1 August 2023)

11.4.03 - Isolated Post Travel Assistance (IPTA)

11.4.03(1) (Purpose) The purpose of IPTA is to give a member, who is posted for duty at an isolated post, and, where applicable, their dependants, the option to travel from the post without being subjected to excessive costs.

11.4.03(2) (Application) This instruction applies to a member who has been posted for duty to an isolated post for a period of 90 or more consecutive paid days.

11.4.03(3) (Eligible persons) A member is entitled to IPTA up to the maximum amounts set out at paragraph (7) for each of the following persons:

  1. the member;
  2. a dependant who is two years of age or more and who resides at the post; and
  3. a dependant who is less than two years of age and who resides at the post, if the member provides proof that a separate airfare was purchased for that dependant.

11.4.03(4) (Attached posted to CFS Alert) A member attached posted to CFS Alert from an isolated post remains entitled to IPTA for the persons listed above, with the exception of the member who is attached posted.

11.4.03(5) (Frequency of entitlement) For each person eligible under paragraph (3), a member is entitled to IPTA at the frequency determined by the EA classification of the isolated post. Entitlement to IPTA shall be limited to:

  1. once in each fiscal year for a member whose isolated post has an EA classification of “1”, “2” or “3”; and
  2. twice in each fiscal year for a member whose isolated post has an EA classification of “4” or “5” except, where:
    1. a member arrives at the isolated post on or after 01 October, then only once in that fiscal year, or
    2. departs or is expected to depart the isolated post on or before 30 September, then only once in that fiscal year.

11.4.03(6) (Limitations on entitlement) The following limitations apply:

  1. if a member is newly posted for duty from a place of duty that is not also an isolated post, the member shall wait three months from the date of arrival to qualify for IPTA;
  2. in respect of a service couple who are posted for duty to the same isolated post, only one member of the service couple is entitled to claim IPTA;
  3. a member is not entitled to IPTA for a dependant who is a public service employee and is entitled to vacation travel assistance under the IPGHD;
  4. if a member establishes an entitlement to IPTA and the member is subsequently posted before exercising the entitlement, the member remains entitled to IPTA;
  5. if a member is serving at an isolated post where the EA classification level has been increased or decreased, or at a place that has ceased to be designated as an isolated post, the member remains entitled to IPTA for the same period as established by the NJC in section 2.8.5 of the IPGHD; and
  6. a member who receives a benefit for a dependant student under this instruction, is not entitled to receive the benefit under CBI 11.4.04 (Dependant Student Travel Assistance) in the same period of entitlement.

11.4.03(7) (Amount of entitlement) Subject to paragraph (8), the amount of IPTA is equal to the Vacation Travel Assistance (VTA) amount established by the NJC in the IPGHD or to the amount as determined by the DGCB and published by the DPPD for the isolated post at which the member is posted for duty for a minimum of 90 consecutive days. In addition:

  1. For posts that have no airport, an amount is added to the IPTA equal to the return lower kilometric rate for the driving distance between the post and the nearest airport or the return lower kilometric rate for the driving distance between the post and the point of departure where the most practical and direct means of reaching the point of departure is by road;
  2. For those posts where the distance between the post and the nearest airport or the point of departure is in excess of 250 kilometres, the member and dependants will each receive $100 for miscellaneous expenses each way;
  3. The NJC or the DPPD, as the case may be, will publish the amount for each isolated post in the Spring of each year, which will apply for the entire year for those isolated posts with an EA classification of “1”, “2” or “3”. In addition, for those isolated posts with an EA classification of “4” or “5”, the NJC or the DPPD, as the case may be, will publish the amount twice a year in the Spring and Fall.

11.4.03(8) (Reduced IPTA) A member who is posted for duty at an isolated post for a period between 90 continuous paid days and one full year is entitled to IPTA at a reduced amount. The reduced amount is equivalent in the ratio of the total paid days in the qualifying period divided by 365 days.

11.4.03(9) (Application procedure) A member shall apply in writing for IPTA indicating if travel will take place in order that taxes are properly withheld. Once made, the choice shall apply to the member and dependants and cannot subsequently be reversed.

11.4.04 - Dependant Student Travel Assistance

11.4.04(1) (Purpose) The purpose of this benefit is to offset the cost for a dependant student attending a post-secondary education facility away from the isolated post to be reunited with the member at the post.

11.4.04(2) (Application) This benefit applies to a member posted for duty to an isolated post for a minimum period of one continuous year of service.

11.4.04(3) (Amount) A member to whom this instruction applies may claim 100 percent of reimbursable expenses for one trip in a fiscal year for a dependant student in an amount equal to the lesser of:

  1. the actual return transportation and travelling expenses incurred from the location of the educational institution to the isolated post; or
  2. the cost of transportation and travelling expenses for a return trip made by commercial air economy class from the post to the nearest point of departure.

11.4.04(4) (Limitation on entitlement) A member who is reimbursed under this instruction is not entitled to receive the benefit under CBI 11.4.03 (Isolated Post Travel Assistance (IPTA)) for the same dependant in the same period of entitlement.

11.4.05 Alert Leave Travel Benefits

11.4.05(1) (Purpose) The Alert Leave Travel Benefit (ALTB) is provided to mitigate the hardship of separation from dependants or to enable a member to fulfill obligations related to maintaining a residence in Canada.

11.4.05(2) (Meaning – home) For the purpose of this instruction, “home” means:

  1. in respect of a member with a dependant, either
    1. the place to which they were last moved at public expense, or
    2. the place in Canada at which they are residing; and
  2. in respect of a member without a dependant, either<
    1. the member’s normal permanent place of duty,
    2. the place in Canada where the member’s next of kin resides, or
    3. the place in Canada at which the member was maintaining a residence at the time the member was attached posted to CFS Alert.

11.4.05(3) (Application) This instruction applies to a member attached posted to CFS Alert for a period in excess of four months when authorized to proceed on 21 days leave under QR&O article 16.20 - Special Leave.

11.4.05(4) (Entitlement) Subject to paragraph (5), a member to whom this instruction applies is entitled once in each tour of duty to the following:

  1. return transportation by military airlift between CFS Alert and the airlift destination;
  2. reimbursement of actual and reasonable transportation and traveling expenses resulting from a non-scheduled stopover between CFS Alert and the airlift destination; and
  3. for the return journey from the airlift destination to the member’s home:
    1. reimbursement of actual and reasonable economy class commercial transportation expenses, not to exceed the cost of the lowest economy class commercial transportation that permits a full refund of the ticket cost, and
    2. for any non-commercial travel, the lower kilometric rate for the direct road distance between the two points travelled.

11.4.05(5) (Conditions and limitations) The following conditions and limitations apply:

  1. eligible members must have at least three consecutive work weeks remaining in their attached posting following completion of the journey for which ALTB is paid. This is to be confirmed prior to any travel being authorized; and
  2. ALTB is provided in lieu of IPTA as set out in CBI 11.4.03 – Isolated Post Travel Assistance where a member’s permanent place of duty is not an isolated post.

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