# 2024-203 Pay and Benefits, Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program, Interim Lodging, Meals and Incidentals, Relocation Benefits

Case summary

F&R Date: 2025-09-18

The grievor was denied certain relocation benefits under the Canadian Forces Integrated Relocation Program (CFIRP) Directive when he was posted from one province to another. The grievor stated that he had sought clarification from Brookfield Global Relocation Services (BGRS) regarding his relocation entitlements and was advised that he could stay outside the designated geographic area due to limited hotel availability, which he did for two days. Additionally, the grievor alleged that during his travel to new location (TNL), he experienced a delay caused by a flat tire, which required an additional overnight stay. He maintained that he had previously been informed he had eleven days to complete the TNL, rather than ten. He also explained that he incurred six days of interest charges, billed by his lawyer as late payment fees, due to BGRS taking over a year to reimburse the closing costs related to the sale of his residence. As redress, he sought reimbursement for unpaid relocation benefits, including lodging, travel allowances, and late payment fees.

The Initial Authority, the Director General Compensation Benefits, denied the reimbursement of two days of Interim Lodgings, Meals and Miscellaneous Expenses (ILM&M) incurred outside the geographic boundaries, the additional day of lodging and TNL meals and miscellaneous allowances due to the flat tire and the late interest fees caused by administrative delays from the mortgage lender as it was not a benefit provided for within the CFIRP Directive.

The Committee found that the grievor had been aggrieved by the Canadian Armed Forces' decision not to reimburse ILM&M expenses incurred over two days, as these fell within the grievor's 10-day entitlement and aligned with the intent of the CFIRP Directive. These expenses were not considered extended benefits or new entitlements. The Committee also found that the grievor was aggrieved by the denial of reimbursement for late closing fees, which should have been eligible under article 8.3.07 of the CFIRP Directive; however, no recommendation was made regarding this expense. Conversely, the Committee determined that the grievor was not aggrieved by the denial of reimbursement for the additional day of TNL, as the circumstances were attributed to poor planning. The Committee recommended that the Final Authority grant redress for the ILM&M expenses only.