# 2021-250 Pay and Benefits, Interim Lodging, Meals and Incidentals, Relocation

Case summary

F&R Date: 2023-01-30

The grievor, a Reserve Force member residing in Newfoundland, was offered a “Class B” period of service requiring relocation to Ontario (ON). The Director of Compensation and Benefits Administration authorized relocation benefits for the grievor's move. The grievor sold their Newfoundland home and planned to move to ON; however, travel restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic were announced between the sale of the home in February 2020 and the closing date of 30 March 2020, preventing the grievor from travelling to their new ON residence. 

The grievor argued that they should be compensated with interim lodging, meal and miscellaneous expenses related to the delays in the move because they followed the direction of the Chief of the Defence Staff and their chain of command with respect to travel during the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Initial Authority denied the grievance, finding that the grievor was treated in accordance with the Treasury Board policy as detailed in the Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program Directive, which states that delayed occupancy dates are not considered circumstances beyond a member's control.

The Committee obtained additional information related to the circumstances during the grievor's period of relocation. The grievor's former commanding officer indicated that the closing of provincial borders and quarantine rules posed further difficulties to the grievor's relocation, and the grievor's former supervisor confirmed that the decision to delay the grievor's travel to ON was attributed to the Covid-19 pandemic. In considering all evidence on file, the Committee found that the circumstances related to the delay of the grievor's move were beyond the grievor's control. The Committee recommended that the Final Authority afford the grievor redress by directing that the grievor be reimbursed for additional interim lodging, meal and miscellaneous entitlements in accordance with the Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program Directive and CANFORGEN 072/20.