# 2010-067 - Door-to-Door Move, Relocation Expenses

Door-to-Door Move, Relocation Expenses

Case Summary

F&R Date: 2010–12–02

The grievor contested the fact that the Canadian Forces (CF) reimbursed him for certain expenses incurred during his move from the personalized component rather than from the core benefit. He claimed that the reasons why he was not able to arrange a door-to door move were beyond his control. For this reason he believed that the CF should reimburse his interim expenses from the core benefit.

Acting as the Initial Authority (IA), the Director General Compensation and Benefits (DGCB) denied the grievance. She concluded that he had received all of the benefits to which he was entitled. The DGCB did not find that the grievor’s situation was beyond his control, referring to the Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program (CFIRP) 2009 policy that states that interim expenses are reimbursed on the basis of the personalized benefit when the household goods and effects are ready for delivery. The DGCB noted that the CFIRP policy originated from Treasury Board and therefore the CF and Department of National Defence do not have the authority to amend it.

The Board also found that the grievor had received that to which he was entitled. It specified that the objective of the CFIRP policy is not to put money into the pockets of CF members but rather to cover the costs of moving so that CF members are not financially penalized. The Board recommended that the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) deny the grievance.

Because of the widespread dissatisfaction within the CF concerning the new provisions encouraging members to arrange door-to-door moves, the Board has recommended that the CDS order a communication campaign to educate and inform members about these new provisions.

CDS Decision Summary

CDS Decision Date: 2011–05–17

The CDS is in agreement with the Board’s recommendation to deny the grievance. The grievor’s decision to purchase a house in the new work location and take possession after the delivery of his HG&E was a personal choice and did not result from a situation beyond his control. Furthermore, the grievor could have covered his costs through the personalized envelope.

As regards the Board’s systemic recommendation, the CDS finds that the information provided in early 2011 concerning the relocation and the related allowances was sufficiently detailed without requiring a learning and information campaign. However the CDS said he was concerned about the difficulty Reg F members were having in obtaining a detailed plan in order to meet the requirements of the door-to-door policy. He therefore asked the CMP to evaluate whether the policy could be amended to further increase the CFIRP’s capacity to adjust to the needs of military members and their families.

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