Relocation Directive - APS 2014 - Chapter 1

Section 1.4 Definitions

Accommodation Directory

Government of Canada Hotel Directory for that particular area.

Actual and Reasonable Expenses

Justifiable expenses that do not upgrade the financial position or exceed the authorized benefit of the CF member and are supported by proof of payments; i.e., receipts, vouchers, and credit card statements.

Arm's Length Transaction

An arm's length transaction is one that is consummated between two or more non-related parties as per Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) interpretation. Related individuals include:

direct-line descendants, as well as spouse or common law partners, brothers, sisters, and in-laws; and

non-immediate family members such as cousins, aunts, uncles, nephews and nieces.

ATM Charges

Charges by a financial institution for transactions conducted via automatic teller machines.

Basic Training List (BTL)

A list of positions to which CF members may be posted to acquire initial occupation qualification training.

Business Case

A detailed analysis of the costs, benefits and risks associated with a proposed plan which offers reasonable alternatives. It provides information necessary for making a decision about whether a plan should proceed.

Clear Title

Unconditional title to a property as determined by the CF member's lawyer.

Commercial Lodgings

Lodgings obtained in a hotel, motel, tourist home, guest cottage or similar establishment that caters to the general public at predetermined rates.

Commercial Transportation

Transportation by air, ground transportation such as but not limited to: professional airport limousine, rental vehicle, shuttle, taxi, bus, rail or watercraft. Upgrades to Business Class or First Class will not be reimbursed from any funding envelope.

Component

The Component provides CF members with benefits and funding for relocation.

Controlled Location

A VCDS Controlled International Operation, where the move of dependant(s) is authorized; however, the move of HG&E is limited to specific weight restrictions found within the applicable weight tables contained in the CFIRP Policy.

Cooking Facilities

Adequate cooking facilities, as a minimum, are a two-burner hotplate, refrigerator and a microwave oven if required for a continuous period of less than seven days. For periods of more than seven continuous days, adequate cooking facilities include a stove, refrigerator and microwave oven.

DCBA

The Directorate of Compensation and Benefit Administration.

Department

The Department of National Defence.

Dependant

A person who normally resides with the CF member at the CF member's primary residence and is:

1. The CF member's spouse or common-law partner and if living separately is doing so for military reasons;
2. A relative by blood, marriage or adoption such as the parent(s), grand-parent(s), brother(s), sister(s), aunt(s), uncle(s), niece(s), nephew(s) or grandchild of that CF member or of the CF member's spouse or common-law partner who is both dependant on the CF member for support and:
   1. Is under 21 years of age; or
   2. Dependant on the CF member by reasons of mental or physical disability; or
3. Is in full time attendance at a school or other education institution that provides training or instruction of an educational, professional, vocational or technical nature. The biological child, stepchild, adopted child including a child adopted by Aboriginal people under the Custom Adoption Practice, or legal ward of the CF member or the CF member's spouse or common-law partner or their child who is both dependent on the CF member for support and is:
   1. Under 21 years of age; or
   2. Dependant on the CF member by reason of mental or physical disability; or
   3. is in full time attendance at a school or other education institution that provides training or instruction of an educational professional, vocational or technical nature.
4. A family member, who is permanently residing with the CF member, but who is precluded from qualifying as a dependant under the Income Tax Act because the family member receives a pension.
5. A housekeeper, if the member is single and has a dependent child as defined above for whom the member maintains a home in which the member also normally resides (posting instruction must recognize housekeeper as dependant as per CFAO 209-28).

Number of Dependants - When a posting message does not include all dependants, CF members must provide their Military Personal Records Resume (MPRR) to the service provider to show the number of dependants.

Note

1. In cases of joint/shared custody, when the dependant is residing with the CF member at the time of the relocation, expenses as outlined in the CF IRP Policy may be reimbursed. As per art 3.4.03 the DAE portion of the posting allowance is payable to CF members whose dependants are relocated at public expense.

2. When posted outside Canada the host country may not recognize those defined as dependants under the CF policy therefore CF members should verify host country regulations and ensure compliance understanding that they are responsible for any subsequent costs associated with continuing to establish residency.

Direct Road Distance

The official distance listed in the department-approved distance guide less distance traveled on water, where included, or when not listed means the shortest practicable road distance as determined by the service provider.

Dwelling

Self-contained living quarters that have the normal amenities necessary for continuous year-round occupancy, and that have one or more private entrances from outside or from a common hall, lobby, vestibule or stairway inside the building. The term includes houses, condominiums, apartments, mobile homes, boats and those portions of a multiple-unit residential building that are owned and occupied by the CF member.

Equity

The sale price of the residence less any existing mortgage and/or lien, not a CF member's net worth (i.e. the difference between the sale price of the residence and the remaining mortgage or loan payments outstanding on that residence).

Exceptional Circumstances

Such circumstances include, but are not limited to, weather conditions, operational requirements or travel to remote areas. They are rare and shall only be considered in cases of extreme and unforeseen situations.

Expenses

The amount of money spent in order to purchase an item or service.

Fees

The payment for professional services rendered.

Funding Formula

The various factors and elements that add together to determine the amount of custom and personalized funding available to the CF member.

Geographical Boundaries

Geographical boundaries of a base established by a Base Commander.

Government Quarters

Family or single quarters, a limited dividend or non-public fund housing or similar accommodation whose occupancy is controlled by the Canadian Forces Housing Agency or by military authorities.

Home Staging

Home staging is a professional service that assists a home seller in making their home more attractive and appealing to potential buyers. A home stager may bring in furniture, artwork, plants, rugs and accessories to make a house look its best while on the market. Some full service stagers also offer contractor consulting services which may include choosing paints, tiles, carpets, etc., and working with the contractors to get the house ready.

Household Goods and Effects (HG&E)

The personal belongings, including the furniture, household effects, household equipment and personal effects of a CF member and dependants. They do not include those items specified not eligible to be shipped due to their hazardous nature or where excluded by Departmental relocation policy or otherwise restricted by household goods removal tariffs of the HGRS contract.

Imposed Restriction (IR)

An approved delay in moving Dependants, Household Goods and Effects ((D)HG&E) for a specific period of time.

Incidentals

When on an HHT or DIT means the Treasury Board Incidental Travel Rate payable to one family unit only (including the CF member) anytime CF members or dependants are on travel status. Incidentals are intended to pay for expenses such as, but not limited to, gratuities, dry cleaning, laundry, bottled water, phone calls, home grass cutting, snow removal, home security check, plant watering, mail services, pet care, telecommunications hook-ups and service.

Intended Place of Residence

The place at which a CF member or former CF member intends to reside following release from the CF.

Isolated Posts

As identified in the Treasury Board Isolated Post Directive.

Kilometric Rate - Travel

The travel rates as published by the Treasury Board kilometric rate. Reimbursement under CFIRP is the applicable kilometric rate, multiplied by the pre-established distance to be traveled as per the department-approved distance guide.

Loyalty Contract

A vendor-imposed contract, which stipulates a fixed period of time for a service provided to the consumer (i.e., a free cell phone for signing a three year contract; if the contract is broken there is a penalty to the consumer).

Market Value

The value of a residence at the time of its sale.

Meal Rate

The Treasury Board prescribed meal rate per person, per full calendar day that includes the breakfast, lunch and dinner meals.

Medically Retained

A CF member may be retained subject to employment limitations only on a temporary, transitional basis, to the earliest of the end of the current terms of service, or a period of three years, if the recommendation of an Administrative Review - Medical Employment Limitation is release because the CF member is in breach of the minimum operational standards.

Mileage - Distance Calculation

Kilometric and mileage distances (less distance traveled by sea) calculated using the shortest practicable road distance and the department-approved distance guide.

Miscellaneous Allowance

When on TNL and ILM&M means 12% of the full daily meal rate for the CF member and 6% of the full daily meal rate for each dependant regardless of age and is payable anytime CF member or dependants are on travel status. Miscellaneous expenses are intended to pay for expenses such as, but not limited to, gratuities, dry cleaning, laundry, bottled water, phone calls, home grass cutting, snow removal, home security check, plant watering, mail services, pet care, telecommunications hook-ups and service.

Movement Grant

A non-accountable grant intended to offset various losses or expenses incurred but not specifically provided for because of the move.

Non-Commercial Lodgings

Lodgings other than commercial lodgings, including a travel trailer, tent or a private home, but not including public quarters or the private residence of the CF member or a relative or acquaintance with whom the CF member normally resides.

Pets

Animals that normally reside in the family home or that would be allowed in a living room. Farm animals such as horses are not included. Large numbers of animals such as a cattery or a kennel of dogs, whether owned for pleasure or profit, are not included.

Place of Duty

The place at which a CF member usually performs normal military duties and includes any place in the surrounding geographical area that is determined to be part thereof by the Chief of the Defense Staff or such other officer as shall be designated.

Posting Allowance

An allowance, provided as part of the funding, intended to provide compensation for the turbulence associated with relocation of CF members of the Regular Force.

Primary Mode of Travel

The mode of travel by which the CF member and the majority of the family members travel.

Principal Residence

A dwelling in Canada, other than a summer cottage or other seasonal accommodation, together with that portion of land (1.25 acres or less) that:

• Is situated at the location to which the CF member's Household Goods and Effects were last moved at public expense or at a location from which the CF member is authorized to move Household Goods and Effects where the CF member's Household Goods and Effects have never been moved at public expense;
• Is owned by the CF member or the CF member's dependants or jointly by the CF member and the CF member's dependants; and
• Was occupied by the CF member, the CF member's dependants or both, immediately prior to official notification of the posting (as defined by Canada Revenue Agency).

Principal Residence - Actively Marketed

A principal residence will be considered actively marketed for sale when:

• The principal residence is continuously for sale except for brief interruptions (e.g. to change brokers or listings) through a licensed real estate agent (realtor);
• The principal residence listing price is consistent with the appraisal paid by the CFIRP and the conditions of the market;
• The CF members are acting in good faith to dispose of the residence; and
• No reasonable offers have been refused.

Private Motor Vehicle (PMV)

A serviceable motor vehicle whose cubic measurement does not exceed 20.80 cubic meters that is owned and registered by the CF member or a dependant, and may be of passenger car configuration, or any other type of self-propelled vehicle mounted on a car or truck chassis, but does not include the cars of electric or steam railways or other motor vehicles running only on rails, or a motorized snow vehicle, farm tractor, or similar type of self-propelled vehicle.

Professional Cleaning

A service rendered by a company or an individual who provides cleaning services as a source of income. It does not include the purchase of cleaning supplies to personally perform the cleaning. It excludes items deemed as maintenance such as, but not limited to: chimney cleaning, furnace cleaning, duct cleaning, spa and pool cleaning, etc.

Prohibited Move

A move to a place of duty to which the Department considers it desirable, or in the public interest, to prohibit the move of dependants, or Household Goods and Effects, or both.

Purchase Price

The actual amount paid for a principal residence, including applicable federal or provincial sales tax.

Receipts/Personal Declaration

Receipts - An official receipt as defined by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) which shall include the following information:

• Name of person or organization that provided the service;
• Date the service was rendered (period covered);
• Address of the CF member;
• Signature of the service provider;
• Social Insurance Number (SIN) of the person providing the service or telephone number of the person providing the service (see note below);
• Amount paid for services rendered; and
• If the receipt is for babysitting, the name(s) of the child(ren) that were babysat.

SIN Number - Although CRA internal procedures indicate that a SIN should be provided on the receipt, Canadian citizens may refuse to provide their SIN to the service provider due to confidentiality issues. However, they must provide a telephone number where they can be reached by CRA if their SIN is required at a later date.

Personal Declarations - Receipts are required for reimbursement. Under extenuating circumstances when receipts have been lost, accidentally destroyed, incomplete or unobtainable, CF members may submit a personal declaration which explains the events, the reasons and the costs. They must include CF members' name/rank and be signed/dated.

Replacement Residence

A dwelling in Canada, other than a summer cottage or other seasonal accommodation, together with that portion of land (1.25 acres or less) that:

• Is situated at the location to which the move of HG&E is authorized;
• Is purchased by the CF member, CF member's dependants or both at the location to which the move of HG&E is authorized; and
• Will be the principal residence of the CF member's or the CF member's dependants at the location to which the move of HG&E is authorized.

Restricted Move

A move to a place of duty to which the Department considers it desirable, or in the public interest, to restrict the move of dependants or Household Goods and Effects or both, until suitable accommodation becomes available.

Sale Price

The final selling price of a principal residence.

Secured Accommodation

A binding contract for accommodations (signed purchase/lease agreement) where all conditions have been met.

Spouse

The common law partner of the CF member or a person married to the CF member.

Standard Rate Accommodation

The Government of Canada Hotel Directory Standard Rate for that particular area.

Storage at Own Expense (SOE)

The temporary or long term storage of Household Goods and Effects at the expense of the CF member outside the HGRS contract, either immediately prior to or subsequent to the movement of the Household Goods and Effects at public expense, including a move on release.

Storage in Transit (SIT)

The temporary storage of Household Goods and Effects either immediately prior or subsequent to movement of the Household Goods and Effects at public expense, including a move on release.

Storage, Long-Term Storage (LTS)

The storage or long-term storage of Household Good and Effects, not including storage in transit (SIT).

Third Party Suppliers

A third party service provider (not considered a subcontractor) engaged by the service provider to give specialized services in accordance with the CFIRP program or the relocation of CF members as part of their entitlement under the CFIRP Policy.