# 2025-033 Pay and Benefits, Home Leave Travel Assistance

Case summary

F&R Date: 2026-02-02

The grievor contested the Director Compensation Benefits Administration's (DCBA) use of a fixed rate methodology to determine the amount of the Home Leave Travel Assistance (HLTA) for Travel to a Third Location. She argued that applying a fixed rate is not in line with paragraph 10.21.06 of the Compensation and Benefits Instructions (CBI) which states that the amount of HLTA “will be the average cost of the most economical return airfare … for the most direct return flight between the post and Halifax, Quebec City, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Victoria, and based on a 60-day advance booking.” She also contested the subsequent decision to deny reimbursement for additional expenses incurred during her return journey, which she argued was allowed under CBI 10.21.11 - Change in Travel Plans.

The Director General Compensation and Benefits, acting as the Initial Authority (IA), denied the grievance finding that CBI 10.21.06 - HLTA for Travel to a Third Location, provides for the use of fixed-rate allowances for third locations and the fixed rates are determined based on 60-day hypothetical bookings. Further, the IA found that since the grievor received the entire allotted amount, she was not entitled to additional reimbursement under that provision. Finally, the IA found that CBI 10.21.09 - Change of Travel Plans, did not apply to the grievor's circumstances as her return to the deployed location was not an operational requirement given that she returned as scheduled and her leave was not changed or cancelled. Therefore, the IA found that the grievor's HLTA entitlement was administered in accordance with policy.  

The Committee found that the CBIs distinguish HLTA as being for travel to either Canada or a Third Location. A Canadian Armed Forces member on international deployment may be entitled to one or the other type of HLTA but not both, and once the member makes the choice they accept to be bound by the conditions of the chosen allowance. The Committee then found that CBI paragraph 10.21.06(4) states that HLTA for Travel to a Third Location is a fixed rate allowance that is provided for specific transportation-related costs and intended to assist the member, not cover the entirety of their costs, while on leave. Furthermore, DCBA had clearly and reasonably explained the methodology used to establish the fixed rate. As such, the Committee found that the grievor's HLTA for Travel to a Third Location rate was correctly calculated. As she had received the full amount, this provision does not provide for additional reimbursement. 

Finally, the Committee found that CBI 10.21.11 - Change in Travel Plans, paragraph 1 - Operational requirement, which directs the reimbursement of expenses for leave altered by operational requirements, did not apply to the grievor's circumstances as she grievor was not recalled from leave nor did she change her travel plans as an exigency of military service. Consequently, there was no operational requirement and she was expected to return to post following her leave as scheduled. Consequently, her additional expenses could not be reimbursed. 

The Committee recommended the Final Authority find the grievor not aggrieved and deny redress.