# 2019-129 Pay and Benefits, Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program

Case summary

F&R Date: 2020-01-22

The grievor enrolled in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) in Ottawa, where he lived and worked. Prior to enrolling, he terminated his residential lease, moved his household goods and effects (HG&E) into storage at a relative's house in Petawawa, and lived in temporary arrangements with co-workers in Ottawa. Upon completion of occupational training, the grievor was posted to Canadian Forces Base Petawawa. He was denied relocation benefits including a house-hunting trip and interim lodging and meals on the ground that Petawawa was deemed to be his place of enrollment because his HG&E were located there.

The Committee found that the grievor enrolled in Ottawa and that his new residence in Petawawa upon posting was at least 40 kilometres closer to his new place of duty, and therefore that he was entitled to relocation benefits as set out in the Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program (CFIRP) Directive, Section 11.1, Move of (D)HG&E from Place of Enrollment.

FA decision summary

The Final Authority (FA) agreed with the Committee's finding that the grievor's placing HG&E into storage at his parent's residence in Petawawa prior to enrolling in the CAF in Ottawa did not mean that his residence upon enrollment was Petawawa and that he was thereby disentitled from relocation benefits when posted from Borden to Petawawa upon completion of training. The FA agreed with the Committee's recommendation to reopen the grievor's relocation file and effect payment of the applicable relocation benefits.