# 2011-101 Pay and Benefits, Interim Lodging, Meals and Incidentals (ILM&I), Relocation Expenses

Case Summary

F&R Date: 2011–11–21

The grievor, who was posted to a new unit, proceeded on a house hunting trip, but was unsuccessful in securing an appropriate residence. He later applied for and obtained a married quarters (MQ); however, the MQ's availability date was some two months after the grievor's change of strength date. The grievor requested a one-month delay in his reporting date and relocated his household goods and effects (HG&E) accordingly. Upon arrival, the HG&E were transferred to a storage facility where they remained until they could be delivered to the MQ. At the time the HG&E arrived at the grievor's new unit, the reimbursement of interim lodgings, meals and miscellaneous (ILM&M) expenses ceased to be paid from core funds.

The grievor submitted a grievance stating that the Director Compensation and Benefits - Administration had incorrectly inferred that it was the grievor's personal choice to await a specific house and emphasized that the circumstances surrounding his relocation were beyond his control and that it was not his personal choice to await availability of a specific residence. He requested reimbursement of the additional ILM&M be effected from core funds and not personalized funds and later added that an audit of his file should be effected.

The initial authority (IA) denied redress. The IA explained that reimbursement of ILM&M correctly ceased to be paid from core funds from the date the grievor's HG&E were available for delivery. The IA pointed out that, in the circumstances, reimbursement of storage fees should also have been effected from personalized funds and should therefore be reimbursed by the grievor.

From its review of the file, the Board was of the opinion that the grievor was aware of the date the MQ would be available and it was a personal choice on his part to await that MQ; the Board was unable to conclude the circumstances were beyond the grievor's control. The Board also noted that article 2.2.01 of the Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program imposes an obligation on Canadian Forces members to ensure a door to door move in order to keep ILM&M expenses to a minimum; consequently, the Board concluded that the additional ILM&M expenses were appropriately reimbursed from the personalized funds.

The Board recommended to the Chief of the Defence Staff that the grievance be denied.

The Board also recommended that an audit of the grievor's relocation file be done if the review can be completed without significant time or expense.

CDS Decision Summary

CDS Decision Date: 2012–03–05

The CDS agreed with the Board's findings and recommendation that the grievance be denied.

The CDS did not address the Board's recommendation that an audit of the grievor's relocation file be done if the review can be completed without significant time or expense.