B – You have received your posting instruction

Think relocation!

Two distinct relocation policies govern military moves:

• the Compensation and Benefits Instructions (CBI) Chapter 208, and
• the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) relocation directive (CAFRD).

As a new policy that came into effect on 1 April 2021, the CAFRD eliminated some allowances while improving others. To learn more about these changes as well as to determine which directive applies to your situation, refer to the CAFRD FAQ.

CBI Chapter 208 Moves

Learn about these moves by referring to Compensation and Benefits Instructions (CBI) Chapter 208 and by contacting your orderly room staff.

CAFRD Moves

Step 1: Posting instruction

Your posting instruction will include important information about your new place of duty, change of strength (COS) date, and relocation benefits.

Step 2: Authorization

The Director Relocation Business Management (DRBM) approves your eligibility for a move of dependents as well as household goods and effects (HG and E) by advising your BGRS service provider about your eligibility. This approval process can take up to five days after the receipt of the posting instruction. If you still cannot register in the BGRS system after one week, contact your local relocation coordinator. You will find a list of CAFRD Coordinators on the Defence Team Intranet under “Relocation Management” at http://cmp-cpm.mil.ca/en/benefits/benefits-generic.page.

Step 3: Member Registration

Register with the BGRS service provider within 21 days of receiving your posting message by using the BGRS guide entitled How to register in BGRS’ system!

Be sure to complete Step 4 before you log out of the system.

Step 4: Completion of Preliminary Relocation Assessment

Once you have finished your BGRS member registration, do the preliminary relocation assessment on the BGRS website. Sometime during the two work days that follow your completion of this assessment, BGRS will send a registration confirmation to you by e-mail. From that point in time, your BGRS agent will communicate directly with you.

Step 5: Consult the CAF Relocation Web Site for More Information

• Consult the CAF Relocation Directive (CAFRD) as soon as possible.
• Consider the information provided by the following links which are available only via the Defense Information Network (DIN) network:
  • the Relocation Assistance Document (RAD), and
  • the “Relocation management” tab of the “Benefits – Generic” section of the Chief of Military Personnel web site.

Be prepared to do the following:

• Note your questions so you will be ready for your first BGRS meeting.
• Start thinking about possible moving dates. Do you or your family members have commitments or events that you need to consider before you relocate? Examples include an upcoming child birth or adoption, a scheduled surgery, or a child’s graduation. You can discuss the possibility of a reporting date change with your chain of command, if necessary.
• Make an inventory of your belongings. Are there things such as a pool table, for example, that you cannot or do not wish to move to your new home?
• Think about the things like a children’s play structure that you may have to disassemble yourself.
• Ask about which dangerous goods that your moving company may refuse to move.

Learn more about postings under the CAFRD and BGRS by reviewing the Relocation Assistance Document (RAD) - Member secure website overview page.

Step 6: Schedule a planning session

You can schedule a planning session 24/7. Your five-day scheduling priority status begins once you have registered with BGRS. If you miss this five-day window of opportunity, you will no longer be considered a priority.

During your 30-minute planning session, BGRS will inform you about the relocation process and navigating the BGRS web as well as answer your questions. Your BGRS service provider can also provide information sessions about topics such as your House Hunting Trip (HHT), your transportation to the new location, and your claim finalization.

Learn more about current relocation services by reviewing the CAFRD FAQ page and CANFORGEN 019/21 CMP 011/21 032209Z MAR 21. Be aware that CANFORGEN messages are available only on the DIN intranet or by using the CAF App available on Apple and Android.

You can learn about taxable benefits and their potential impact on your income taxes by visiting the Canada Revenue Agency web site. You should also review the Relocation Assistance Documents on Canadian tax information and the Taxable benefits list.

Complete your Movement of HG and E form (DND 4443), and submit it to your local Base Traffic Furniture and Effects section. Your BGRS agent can help you in completing this form. Be aware that it is possible for service couples to split their HG&E in order to relocate independently when they are posted to two different places of duty. Review the CAFRD Chapter 10 – Service Couples for more information.

Once you have completed the sixth step, you are to pursue your next posting actions. This may include a HHT, the sale of your current principal residence, the purchase or lease of a principal residence at your new posting, and planning your move.

Leaving your current principal residence

If you are a tenant, review your lease in order to understand your responsibilities when you move from the property.

If you are renting outside the base or wing, check your lease to find a lease-breaking penalty clause. Article 7.03 of the CAFRD deals with rent or lease liability.

If you live in a military residential housing unit (RHU), read the information in the "Moving-out" section of the Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) Occupant's Handbook. If your intention is to live in an RHU at destination, determine if military housing is available at your new location and make your application as soon as possible.

If you are considering living in a RHU at your new posting location, get more information from the Canadian Forces Housing Agency (CFHA) as soon as you receive your posting message. In particular, be aware that these housing units are allocated according to priority.

If you move into rental accommodation outside your new base or wing while waiting to be assigned a military residential housing unit, remember that this rental accommodation will be considered your primary residence for your new posting. As such, you will move from the priority 1 waiting list to the priority 2 waiting list. Additionally, any subsequent move to a military housing unit will be at your expense.

If you are a Junior Non-Commissioned member or a Junior Officer posted in the National Capital Region (NCR) Ottawa/Gatineau, you may wish to consider military accommodations in the Personnel Support Program (PSP).

Selling or buying a house

The CAFRD implemented many changes to the selling or buying of a residence. For example, this Directive repealed the Home Staging benefit, the Mortgage Interest Buy-down benefit, the New Home Warranty benefit and the Interest on a Home Relocation Loan benefit in order to align current military relocation benefits with similar changes that the Government of Canada has made to other relocation policies. Consult the CAFRD FAQ page for more information.

If you are selling your home, ask your BGRS service provider about the benefits of obtaining an appraisal, the process, and key dates to consider. Learn about the costs and benefits of home appraisal by reading Article 8.2.04 of the CAFRD.

Ask your current financial institution about how to avoid mortgage-breaking penalties and the possibility of waiving penalties based on your military posting. You should also review the Relocation Assistance Document (RAD) - Understanding mortgage options web page. In particular, you should note the following three mortgage characteristics:

• The Mortgage Early Repayment Penalty (MERP) is reimbursable. For more information, refer to Article 8.2.12 of the CAFRD.
• Mortgage Default Insurance (also called mortgage loan insurance, CMHC insurance, or CMHC fees) is reimbursable. For more information, refer to Article 8.3.10 of the CAFRD.
• Get information about the minimum qualifying rate or stress test for uninsured mortgages by consulting the Mortgage Qualifier Tool. This tool will help you to determine whether or not you qualify for a home mortgage based on income and expenses.

If you are having difficulties selling your house

Discuss the possibility of an Imposed Restriction with your chain of command. This is a temporary measure which allows you to proceed to your new place of duty while your family stays in your current residence. Your chain of command must support your request, and your career manager is the approving authority. For more information on Imposed Restriction, consult page 17 of A Family Guide to the Military Experience.

If you are having difficulties selling your house, you should also note the following:

• Article 8.2.05 of the CAFRD allows a member to use marketing incentives to attract potential buyers when certain conditions are met. Your realtor must recommend these incentives, and your BGRS service provider must support them.
• If your home remains unsold and is marketed actively while you are travelling to your new place of duty, you may be eligible for Temporary Dual Residence Assistance (TDRA). Review Article 8.2.07 of the CAFRD for more information.
• If you anticipate losing money when you sell your house, the Home Equity Assistance (HEA) benefit may reimburse up to 80 per cent or a maximum of $30,000 of your loss. This is subject to Canada Revenue Agency taxation regulations. Learn more by discussing this benefit with your service provider before selling your home and by reading Article 8.2.13 of the CAFRD.

If you decide to keep your current home

Within 15 business days of receiving your appraisal, you must take the decision to keep or sell your home at your current location. If you keep your house, you may be eligible for a Real Estate Incentive of 80 per cent of the real estate commission or up to a maximum of $12,000. Remember that once you have taken your decision, you cannot change your mind. For more information, review Article 8.2.03 of the CAFRD. Keep in mind this incentive is not payable for moves under CAFRD Section 11.2 Unaccompanied Moves or under Chapter 14 Moves to Intended Place of Residence (IPR).

For more information on selling, renting or buying a home, review the Relocation Assistance Documents on Preparing to sell, Preparing to rent, and Preparing to buy pages.

House Hunting Trip (HHT)/Destination Inspection Trip (DIT)

If you are considering renting at your new location, be aware of the difference between a Destination Inspection Trip (DIT) and a House Hunting Trip (HHT). Confirm with your relocation service provider which compensation is applicable to your situation. Review Chapter 4 of the CAFRD for more information. In addition, consult the Relocation Assistance Documents entitled Relocation to-do list and Planning your house hunting trip.

When planning a DIT or HHT, be aware you can now use alternative accommodation booking services such as Airbnb in certain cases during your relocation. Certain conditions apply, and when applicable reimbursement follows the rates established in the Accommodation and Car Rental Directory (ACRD). These rates reflect the number of hotel or motel rooms to which a military family is entitled. For more information, consult your BGRS relocation service provider and review the CANFORGEN 047/19.

You should also keep in mind the following three things for renting at your new location:

• If you consider a lease with an option to buy, you may not be eligible for certain purchase benefits under the CAFRD. Contact your BGRS service provider for more information before making any commitment.
• Before you rent, get to know the geographical boundaries of your new place of duty. If you consider living outside these boundaries, you must get the approval of the commander of your new unit. Do not make any commitments until you have received approval. The Director Compensation and Benefits Administration (DCBA) must also approve the relocation of dependents and household goods and effects (HG and E) under Article 2.6.03 of the CAFRD.
• Living outside your new posting’s geographical boundaries may disqualify you from receiving certain benefits or allowances such as the Post Living Differential (PLD) under CBI 205.45.If you have any questions, contact the administrative staff at your support unit’s orderly room. You can also get more information by reviewing our FAQs on PLD.

Once you know what your new address will be

Start registering for services such as daycares, schools, summer camps, family doctor, and specialists.

Do you need to know more about the resources available in your new community? If so, contact your local Military Family Resource Centre (MFRC) or Family Information Line (FIL) 24/7 at 1-800-866-4546 (North America), 00-800-771-17722 (international), 1-613-995-5234 (collect calls) or by e-mail at FIL@connexionFAC.ca.

To ensure your mail moves with you, visit the Canada Post website for information on forwarding your mail to your new address.

Remember to notify your utility companies (e.g., water, electricity, gas, telephone, and cable providers) about your move.

In terms of moving your HG and E, consult Chapter 9 of the CAFRD to learn about weight limitations and applicable storage options. Speak with your BGRS service provider in order to complete all of the required forms. In addition, read your moving company’s pre-move information booklet in order to estimate the cost of moving your HG and E. For more information, contact the Furniture and Effects section of your new base or wing.

Choosing the right accommodation or hotel while travelling to your posting

While travelling to your new posting, choose accommodation listed in the Accommodation and Car Rental Directory (ACRD) published by Public Services and Procurement Canada. This accommodation must not charge a rate that exceeds the city rate limit.

To avoid accommodation costs at your personal expense, be sure to do the following: 

• Verify the city rate limitsfor your destination.
• When booking, confirm that the accommodation rate offered falls within the applicable limit.
• Once your reservation is made, make sure that you will not be charged more for your accommodation than what is listed in the ACRD, even if this rate is less than the city rate.
• In cases where an accommodation refuses to offer a rate in accordance with the rates published in the ACRD, your CAFRD Coordinator must contact the Accommodation and Car Rental Contract Management Section by e-mail at pwgsctravelservices@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca.

Be aware you can now use ride-sharing and alternative accommodation booking services such as Uber and Airbnb in certain cases during your relocation. This is permissible only in locations where these services are legal and regulated. Ride-sharing services are acceptable expenses when you use them as an alternative to other local public transportation means. For alternative accommodation bookings, reimbursement follows the rates established in the Accommodation and Car Rental Directory (ACRD). These rates reflect the number of hotel or motel rooms to which your military family is entitled. For more information on using alternative accommodation booking services, consult your BGRS relocation service provider and review the CANFORGEN 047/19.

Keep your original relocation expense receipts because you will need them to finalize your claims. You must keep these original receipts for a period of seven years for verification purposes.

For moves within Canada and the continental United States, the interim lodging and meals and miscellaneous expense (ILM and M) policy covers up to 10 days of expenses you may incur while you wait for your new house to become available. Learn more by reviewing Chapter 5 of the CAFRD.