Part C—After you have completed your move
The ABCs of OUTCAN postings
COVID-19 and the Defence Team
COVID-19 continues to affect our constituents.
Stay informed by visiting the Defence Team – COVID-19 website for the latest information pertinent to both public service employees and military Defence team members.
If you are a CAF member being posted, you and your family should consult the following pages for information related to postings and to COVID-19:
- CANFORGEN 022/24 CMP 008/24 201816Z FEB 24 - ACTIVE POSTING SEASON 2024 DIRECTION
- CANFORGEN 073/23 CMP 034/23 191325Z APR 23 - RELOCATION PLANNING APS 2023
CANFORGENS are available on the Defence Team Intranet or by downloading the CAF mobile application.
Contact information for questions
- Your first point of contact for all questions is your chain of command.
- You can also contact the Chief Military Personnel Administrative Response Centre (ARC).
- If you cannot access these existing channels or if you have compelling circumstances, contact our office for assistance.
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Allowances and benefits
When you arrive at your posting location, verify your Foreign Service Premium, Post Living Allowance and Post Specific Allowance benefits to ensure that they start properly and to correct any errors.
In addition to your post specific allowances, you may be eligible for the Post Travel Assistance (previously named Vacation Travel Allowance).
The Post Travel Assistance (PTA) helps you and your family to take a vacation away from your OUTCAN post.
Your eligibility to this benefit is based on living conditions at post as prescribed in the Foreign Services Directive (FSD) 50.
For more information, review the MFSI 10.22.03 - Eligible Members.
On 1 June every year, PTA rates are recalculated according to the method described in section 50.3 of the FSD, Calculation and Certification of Allowance and made available via Foreign Service Messages.
You may ask for an advance upon your arrival at post. When you come back from your vacation, you must prove that you spent your PTA according to the directive (MSFI 10 - 10.22.04 - Verification). If proof is not provided, you could be subject to recovery of funds.
If you repatriate early or if your household size decreases after the PTA has been issued, you may have to reimburse all or a portion of the PTA you received.
For more information about the PTA and other travel provisions, review MSFI 10.22.01—Vacation Travel Allowance and contact your OUTCAN Coordination and Support (URS). Both websites are accessible only on the Defence Team Intranet.
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Emergency evacuation and loss
Due to health, safety, and security reasons, you and your dependents may have to be temporarily evacuated from your OUTCAN post. If you are posted to the Canadian embassy, Global Affairs Canada will explain their interim emergency benefits to you and will be responsible for your relocation to another location. The member’s support unit will pay your claims. If you are posted to an OUTCAN Unit, your support unit will handle the evacuation and benefit payments. These benefits are based on the application of Foreign Service Directive 64 - Emergency Evacuation and Loss.
Learn more about local emergency services by accessing the Government of Canada web page - Information by country and territory.
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Military Family Services
There are Military Family Services (MFS) at locations across Europe and the United States supporting CAF members and their families serving around the globe. MFS programs and services may include:
- welcome and orientation programs,
- information packages,
- spousal or partner employment seminars and referrals,
- childcare referrals,
- second language or local language training programs,
- spousal or partner events and activities, and
- children’s events and activities.
Once you receive your posting message, MFS will contact you by way of an introductory e-mail message. Once you and your family are established in your new location, MFS should contact you within 45 days to encourage you to contact the closest point of service in person or by telephone.
For locations where there is no physical MFS office, MFS will assign a virtual coordinator from another location to assist you and your family. Virtual services can include:
- information session recordings,
- e-mail information for contacting other families on location,
- social media channels,
- meetings,
- workshops, and
- book clubs.
MFS creates programming based on community needs. As a result, this programming may differ from one location to another. However, standardized MFS services usually include:
- volunteer programs,
- emergency childcare, and
- language instruction.
If a Vulnerable Sector Check is required for volunteer opportunities, complete this before leaving Canada. CFMWS attempts to provide these checks whenever feasible. However, in most cases this check cannot be conducted once your family has relocated outside of Canada.
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Mail
Once posted OUTCAN, you may rely on mail services for day-to-day administration. In some cases, the CAF will provide mail services, or you can access services when co-located with other departments. In other locations, especially remote or newly established positions, you must rely on local mail services that may not be as efficient, secure, reliable, or cost-efficient as in Canada.
You and your family may need to use mail services at your own expense for important matters such as:
- family-member voting in Canadian federal elections;
- reimbursement claims, especially for medical insurance, where on-line submissions are not accepted;
- annual Performance and Competency Evaluation (PACE) signatures; and
- new uniform item orders.
For reimbursement claims signatures, remember to make a copy for your own reference.
For more information on mail services, contact your OUTCAN Coordination and Support section.
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Release
There is no official policy that outlines the administrative steps for the release of a CAF member while on an OUTCAN posting.
If you wish to release after an OUTCAN posting, you are expected to return to Canada for release administration and then carry on with your final move.
In rare cases where a member is serving in a location that has full release/ transition capability, they may, pursuant to QR&O 15.04 release outside of Canada. This is normally done when a member wishes to elect their Intended Place of Residence (IPR) move benefits (that is, last move upon release) while serving OUTCAN. For more information on IPR, review Chapter 14 the CAFRD.
Contact your base, wing or unit Relocation Coordinator for assistance. A list of coordinators is available on the DND intranet "Generic benefits" page under the “Relocation management” tab. Your orderly room staff can also provide contact information.
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When posted back to Canada
Review our ABCs of Military Postings designed to help you and your family make informed decisions about your relocation back to Canada.
Contact us
We are ready to help.
- Call us toll-free at 1-888-828-3626
- Submit a question or complaint through our secure online form
- Live chat with an agent 8 am to 5 pm ET Monday to Friday
- Book a phone call with an agent
- Email an agent for information or assistance
- Email for general office inquiries
- Email media relations
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Mailing address
Office of the Ombudsman
100 Metcalfe Street 12th Floor
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5M1
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