# 2024-115 Pay and Benefits, Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program, Real Estate and Legal Fees

Case summary

F&R Date: 2025-09-26

The grievor contests the denial of reimbursement for real estate and legal fees for the sale of a property he owned and lived in with his dependents at the time of his enrolment. While the move of Household Goods and Effects (HG&E) at public expense remained prohibited, the grievor requested and was authorized to live out of quarters given a long delay in completing his basic occupational training, and he moved his family at his own expense to his place of training. Upon completing his training, he was posted with the authority to move HG&E at public expense. He claimed that Brookfield Global Relocation Services (BGRS) advised he was entitled to reimbursement of real estate and legal fees and based his decision to sell his property on that misinformation.

The Director General Compensation and Benefits, acting as the Initial Authority (IA), denied the grievance. The IA explained that the Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program Directive article 8.2.02 states that sale benefits apply only to a principal residence which, by definition, required that the member or their dependents occupied the residence immediately before its sale. Since neither the grievor nor his dependents lived in the residence at that time, it no longer qualified as his principal residence. The IA acknowledged BGRS's misinformation but advised that she lacked authority to grant benefits beyond Treasury Board-approved policy.

The Committee agreed with the IA's policy interpretation and application and found no evidence of negligent misrepresentation by BGRS that would justify compensation. However, it was noted that the grievor had been separated from his family for three years during his training, an unreasonable duration likely causing significant hardship, making it understandable that he moved his family to his training location. While relocation expenses are generally not covered for members in training before reaching the Occupational Functional Point, Chapter 208 of the Compensation and Benefits Instruction for the Canadian Forces allows discretion if the posting is not “temporary.” Though training postings are usually considered temporary, there is no formal definition, allowing for interpretation. The Committee noted that in a previous case, the former Chief of Defence Staff suggested postings beyond 12–15 months may no longer be temporary, and that quality of life and public perception should factor into relocation decisions. He had directed that Canadian Armed Forces members in extended training be considered for postings with relocation benefits.

While the Committee found it unfortunate that the grievor's circumstances were not considered for relocation at public expense during his training, the Committee had no other option than to recommend that the Final Authority deny redress.