# 2025-136 Pay and Benefits, Canadian Armed Forces Relocation Directive, Interim Lodging, Meals and Incidentals

Case summary

F&R Date: 2025-11-13

The grievor requested to be reimbursed meal expenses for the period between the 45th day and receiving his Household Goods, and Effects (HG&E). The grievor disputed the decision of Director Compensation and Benefits Administration that resulted in a 45-day limitation for meal reimbursement following a posting to Canada from outside Canada. The grievor argued that they should be reimbursed for additional meal expenses as the delay in delivery of their HG&E was caused by the shipping company. The grievor also argued that the Canadian Armed Forces Relocation Directive (CAFRD) provided the approving authority with the discretion to determine when a delay is beyond the member's control. 

Director General Compensation and Benefits, acting as the Initial Authority (IA), denied the grievance. The IA reasoned that CAFRD article 12.2.01 prescribes that when relocating to and from overseas, the basic meal entitlement is 30 days with the supplemental meal entitlement allowing a further 15 days. 

The Committee agreed that there was no provision in the CAFRD to extend meal benefits beyond 45 days. While the grievor was treated in accordance with the applicable policies and directives, the Committee nevertheless found that they were treated unfairly and unjustly by having to incur legitimate and reasonable meal expenses as a direct consequence of the delay in the delivery of their HG&E.

The Committee concluded that the policy limitation of 45 days is an arbitrary restriction that does not reflect the realities of overseas shipping timelines and fails to consider delays that occur outside of a member's control. The consequence of these situations is that members are being penalized by having to absorb unexpected costs and expenses.  

The Committee recommended that the Final Authority grant redress by ensuring continued engagement with Treasury Board Secretariat and encouraged the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to also request retroactive effect for any amendments, to allow the CAF to provide a remedy to the grievor and others currently in similar situations.