# 2022-235 Pay and Benefits, Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program, Pet Care/Transportation Expenses, Relocation, Relocation Benefits

Case summary

F&R Date: 2023-08-23

The grievor disputed the denial of his relocation expense claims for mail forwarding, pet care, driver's license fees, and vehicle registration costs incurred during his relocation to his intended place of release during Active Posting Season (APS) 2020. The grievor argued that similar expenses had been covered in his previous moves and, regardless, consideration should be given to the exceptional circumstances for members posted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Initial Authority (IA) found that the Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program (CFIRP) Directive, applicable at the time of the grievor's relocation, indicated that all expenses related to mail forwarding and pet care were to be reimbursed from the personalized benefit and subsequently denied the grievor reimbursement beyond the established limits. Regarding driver's licensing and vehicle registration expenses, the IA found that expenses for the grievor's primary and secondary vehicles were to be reimbursed from their respective core and custom benefits. The IA found that the grievor was therefore entitled to partial redress and granted reimbursement in the amount of $273.

The Committee acknowledged that, in accordance with the National Defence Act, the 19 April 2018 version of the CFIRP Directive was the Treasury Board-approved policy on benefits that applied to the grievor's move during APS 2020. Accordingly, the Committee found that the grievor and his dependents' driving and vehicle expenses were eligible for reimbursement from the core benefit. However, the grievor was not eligible for any additional reimbursements for mail forwarding or pet care related to his relocation, as he had expended all of his funds from his personalized benefit.

The Committee recommended that the Final Authority afford the grievor partial redress and reimburse the grievor $273 from the core benefit for his and his dependents' drivers' licensing and registration costs for his primary vehicle.

FA decision summary

The Director Canadian Forces Grievance Authority, acting as FA, agreed with the Committee's findings and recommendation to afford the grievor redress. The FA confirmed that the grievor was entitled to the reimbursement of his and his wife driver licences in accordance with CFIRP Directive 9.4.03, and directed that such reimbursement be done. Regarding the pet care and shipment, as well as the postal and courier expenses, the grievor was entitled the reimbursement of these expenses from his personalized benefit, but since he used this entire benefit, there was no funds to reimburse him. The FA also determines that the covid-19 was not an exceptional circumstances in this situation that negatively affected the grievor's entitlement to the reimbursement of these expenses.