# 2014-071 - Integrated Relocation Program (CF IRP), Interim Lodging, Meals and Incidentals (ILM&I)

Case Summary

F&R Date: 2014–11–20

The grievor was given an estimate by the shipping company that his Household Goods and Effects (HG&E) would take approximately six to eight weeks to arrive in Rome on posting, so he secured accommodation for 15 August 2010. His HG&E were packed on 29 June 2010, and arrived in Rome on 28 July 2010, two weeks earlier than expected. Although he tried to secure the accommodation for an earlier date, he was only able to advance his occupancy date by four days.

The grievor requested, and received, reimbursement from the Core envelope for an additional 14 days Interim Lodgings, Meals and (ILM&M), and for the mileage and other costs he incurred to register his Private Motor Vehicle (PMV) once it arrived from Canada. However, he was later informed that the Director Compensation and Benefits Administration (DCBA) had determined that he had no entitlement to the expenses and that the overpayment would be recovered. He submitted a grievance contesting the DCBA decision. He argued he was told by the Brookfield Global Relocation Services agent, by Base Traffic personnel, and by the shipping company, that his HG&E would arrive between six and eight weeks from the load date of 29 June 2010 and that he relied on that estimate when he chose the occupancy date.

The Initial Authority (IA), the Director General Compensation and Benefits, denied the grievance. The IA found that the HG&E could not be delivered due to the unavailability of the grievor's accommodation, and that the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) were not at fault since the grievor had selected the occupancy date. Regarding PMV-related costs, the IA indicated that they were not reimbursable.

The Committee noted that the grievor relied to his detriment on the six to eight week estimate he was given by the shipping company to determine the availability of his accommodation and found that the grievor made a personal choice when he decided on the occupancy date which resulted in the delayed delivery of HG&E. Because the delayed delivery was not the fault of the CAF, the Committee found that the grievor was not entitled to additional ILM&M from Core funds.

The Committee also observed that, although the policy is clear that members are only entitled to 30 days of ILM&M, the message provided to the members is not consistent or well explained. The Committee noted that the CAF is responsible to ensure that CAF members are very clearly informed that they and their accommodation must be available to accept delivery of their HG&E within 30 days or less, and that only in cases where the delay is due to the CAF can ILM&M be extended.

Finally, the Committee recognized that the challenges associated with the PMV registration process in Italy were beyond the grievor's control and found that he had incurred legitimate expenses in registering his PMV. The Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program, article 9.4.03, states that “costs associated with registration of PMV at destination for a maximum of 12 months…” can be reimbursed from the Core envelop. The Committee found that the costs associated with travelling to and from the registration office in order to register the PMV were reimbursable. The Committee recommended that the grievance be partially upheld and that the grievor be reimbursed for all expenses he incurred in travelling to Naples for the purpose of registering his PMV.

CDS Decision Summary

CDS Decision Date: 2015–09–08

The CDS agreed with the Committee's findings and the recommendation that the grievance be partially upheld.