# 2012-063 Pay and Benefits, Cancellation of a posting, Relocation Expenses, Travel Expenses
Case Summary
F&R Date: 2012–08–21
The grievor was posted to a new unit and proceeded on a house hunting trip. Having found no suitable accommodation, the grievor purchased a travel trailer in which she intended to reside. She left the trailer at the place of purchase intending to pick it up on her way to her new unit prior to reporting for duty. The posting was subsequently cancelled. As the grievor had made a financial and legal commitment concerning the purchase of the trailer, she obtained the authorization of her chain of command to travel to the purchase location and bring the trailer back to her primary residence. Prior to her departure, her Commanding Officer indicated that financial authority for the trip had not been confirmed by the Director Compensation and Benefits Administration and was not guaranteed.
After numerous unsuccessful inquiries concerning the status of her request for compensation, the grievor put in a grievance. She stated that the cancellation of her posting was due to military reasons, as a result of restrictions recommended by a medical officer, and not at her request. As redress, she asked that all costs associated with the travel to retrieve the trailer, as well as the full cost of the trailer itself including taxes, parts, servicing and accessories be reimbursed.
The grievance was referred to the Board without the benefit of an initial authority (IA) decision as the grievor refused to grant the IA a second extension to the time prescribed to render a decision.
In the Board's opinion, the cancellation of the grievor's posting for medical reasons can be considered for service reasons as she would not have been able to perform her military duties in the new location. Consequently, it was the Board's view that the grievor was entitled to the reimbursement of actual and reasonalbe expenses incurred based on the limitations of the Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program policy and Compensation and Benefits Instructions article 209.886 - Reimbursement on Postponement or Cancellation of a Posting.
In the matter of the trailer itself, the Board was of the view that once the grievor made the decision to keep it, the trailer became part of her household goods and effects and, as such, was not the responsibility of the Canadian Forces; consequently, the Board found that the grievor has no entitlement to reimbursement for the actual cost of the trailer.
The Board recommended that the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) partially uphold the grievance.
The Board recommended to the CDS that he direct the grievor be reimbursed for her actual and reasonable expenses associated with the move of her trailer from the purchase location to her primary residence at the time.
CDS Decision Summary
CDS Decision Date: 2013–01–11
The CDS agreed with the Board's findings and recommendation to partially uphold the grievance and reimburse the grievor for her actual and reasonable expenses associated with the move of her trailer. The CDS stated that the extensive trip untaken by the grievor to retrieve the trailer is not a "reasonable" expense in accordance with the CFIRP; she was entitled to reasonable costs for the shipping of the trailer.